Published online Mar 24, 2017. doi: 10.5410/wjcu.v6.i1.27
Peer-review started: August 18, 2016
First decision: September 6, 2016
Revised: December 8, 2016
Accepted: December 27, 2016
Article in press: December 29, 2016
Published online: March 24, 2017
Seminoma is a germ cell tumour which primarily affects the testes. Seminomas are treated by orchidectomy with usually excellent outcomes. We report the occurrence of a classical seminoma in a 92-year-old man, who is currently the oldest patient with this histology reported in literature. He presented with a painful, swollen testis. Scrotal ultrasound scan revealed a testicular mass. A left inguinal orchidectomy was carried out and histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of a classical seminoma. Further staging by computerised tomography revealed pulmonary lesions suspicious of metastases. The patient declined further treatment in view of his age and co-morbidities.
Core tip: This is the first case in the literature which describes the occurrence of such a tumour in patients over the age of 90 and should raise the index of suspicion for malignant testicular tumours in elderly patients where infectious causes of testicular swellings are by far the most common.