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Adenomatoid tumor should be considered in the differential diagnosis for testicular lesions in patients with cryptorchidismTesticular Adenomatoid Tumor Linked to History of Cryptorchidism

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Key Takeaway
Consider adenomatoid tumor in the differential diagnosis for testicular lesions in patients with a history of cryptorchidism.

This case report and literature review describes a 58-year-old man with a history of right-sided cryptorchidism, male breast cancer, and thymic B2 thymoma who underwent a right radical orchiectomy. Pathology confirmed the presence of a right testicular adenomatoid tumor. The patient's follow-up status was unremarkable at two years.

The authors suggest that adenomatoid tumors should be included in the differential diagnosis for testicular lesions specifically in patients with a history of cryptorchidism. They note that intraoperative frozen section and rapid immunohistochemistry may improve differentiation between benign and malignant lesions during surgery.

Several limitations are noted, including the small sample size inherent to case reports and limited mechanistic evidence linking cryptorchidism to mesothelial tumorigenesis. Furthermore, genetic explanations for the patient's multiple primary tumors remain speculative without molecular testing. The link between cryptorchidism and adenomatoid tumor is described as hypothetical, while the link between thymoma and immune dysregulation is better supported for malignant tumors.

How this fits prior evidence

This case report addresses a gap in clinical differentiation by suggesting that adenomatoid tumor be included in the differential diagnosis for testicular lesions in patients with cryptorchidism. This follows prior coverage noting that factors such as endocrine disruptors may impair testicular descent and gonadal maturation, and that surgical excision for cryptorchid testis showed high maturity rates and no recurrences.

This report describes the case of a 58-year-old man who had a history of cryptorchidism, which is an undescended testicle. He was also diagnosed with male breast cancer and thymic B2 thymoma. During a surgical procedure to remove his right testicle, doctors confirmed he had a condition called an adenomatoid tumor.

The patient was followed for two years after the surgery. During this time, no further issues were reported. While the study is based on only one person, it suggests that patients with a history of undescended testicles may develop these specific types of tumors.

Because this is a single case report, the evidence is limited and not enough to prove a definitive cause. Doctors suggest that these findings help them better distinguish between benign and malignant growths during surgery. More research is needed to understand why some patients develop multiple primary tumors.

What this means for you:
A link exists between undescended testicles and adenomatoid tumors, helping doctors identify similar cases.

Common questions

What is an adenomatoid tumor?

An adenomatoid tumor is a type of growth found in the testis. In this specific case, the tumor was confirmed through pathology after a surgical procedure. The patient's follow-up at two years was unremarkable, meaning no further issues were reported regarding the site.

Is there a link between undescended testicles and these tumors?

The study shows a potential link between cryptorchidism (undescended testicles) and adenomatoid tumors. While this connection is currently considered hypothetical, it helps doctors include this specific tumor in their list of possibilities when treating patients with a history of undescended testicles.

How does this help doctors during surgery?

Because these tumors can look like other growths, the findings suggest that using intraoperative frozen sections and rapid immunohistochemistry can help. These tools help doctors tell the difference between benign and malignant lesions more quickly during a procedure.

Study Details

Study typeSystematic review
EvidenceLevel 1
PublishedJul 2026
View Original Abstract ↓
BackgroundAdenomatoid tumor is a rare benign neoplasm of mesothelial origin, most commonly arising in the epididymis, vas deferens, and tunica vaginalis; primary occurrence in the testis is extremely rare. Cryptorchidism is recognized as a risk factor for testicular germ cell tumors, but its association with adenomatoid tumors remains hypothetical, as there is limited mechanistic evidence directly linking cryptorchidism to mesothelial tumorigenesis in the testis. Moreover, multiple primary malignancies may be related to impaired immune surveillance or genetic susceptibility, though these mechanisms require further validation. This case report aims to present a patient with a testicular adenomatoid tumor in the context of previous cryptorchidism, male breast cancer, and thymic B2 thymoma, and to discuss the possible mechanisms underlying multiple primary tumors and the role of intraoperative pathology in testis-sparing decisions.Case summaryA 58-year-old man with a history of right-sided cryptorchidism treated by orchiopexy, with normal subsequent fertility, was found on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to have a solid nodule within the right testis suggestive of a probably benign testicular neoplasm. Serum markers of testicular malignancy were normal. Given his age, history of cryptorchidism, and multiple prior tumors, and after being informed of testis-sparing alternatives, the patient and his family requested a right radical orchiectomy. Pathology confirmed a right testicular adenomatoid tumor. The procedure was uneventful, recovery was good, and a two-year follow-up was unremarkable.ConclusionFor testicular lesions in patients with a history of cryptorchidism, adenomatoid tumor should be included in the differential diagnosis, particularly when imaging findings and serum tumor markers suggest a benign lesion. In younger patients or patients desiring fertility preservation, intraoperative frozen section combined with rapid immunohistochemistry may improve the accuracy of differentiating benign from malignant lesions and reduce unnecessary radical orchiectomy, although diagnostic uncertainty and institutional availability should be considered. The coexistence of multiple primary tumors suggests possible immune or genetic susceptibility mechanisms. Thymoma-related immune dysregulation is better supported for malignant tumors, whereas genetic explanations remain speculative without molecular testing. Larger multicenter studies are needed to further evaluate these observations.
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