Semenoma Originated from an Ectopic Testis

The authors report an observation of a meta static seminoma on an ectopic testicle in a 23 years old patient and discuss the epidemiological, diagnostic, therapeutic and evolutionary aspects of this entity. Clinical diagnosis is often difficult due to the diversity of clinical symptoms, the use of imaging, biological markers and percutaneous biopsyis essential to make the diagnosis. The anatomopathology and therapeutic aspects are similar to the testis in normal situations. Early diagnosis of these tumors involves the lowering of the cryptorchid testicles, because even if this lowering does not prevent the setumors, it allows better monitoring.


Introduction
Abnormal testicular migration occurs in 2-5% of boys, with most cases unilateral (90%). In 20% of cases the testicle is not palpable, of which 20% are absent [1]. Intra-abdominal localization is less frequent but has a higher risk of malignant degeneration compared to the test is in the inguinal canal. This risk of degeneration varies between 30 to 40% of cases and most are germ-cell tumors; Semenoma being the most frequent [2].

Case Report
A young man of 23 years without significant pathological history has been present for 6 months bilateral low back pain especially on the left, progressive aggravation the whole evolving in a context of alteration of the general state. The clinical examination revealed a mass of the left iliac fossa fixed and sensitive, with a vacuity of the left purse making suspect a tumor on ectopic testicle. The right testicle was in place. The rest of the examination is unique.

Discussion
Gerster described in 1897 the first case of torsion of an intra-abdominal testicular tumor. It is an exceptional event. Nearly one in 500 men have an undescended testicle and some complications such as cancer, ischemia, infertility and torsion can be caused. Since the 1940's cryptorchidism and testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT) association has been well-documented. Because of the heat and other environmental insults on the gonads, the relative risk of developing TGCT is 3.7-7.5 times higher for a cryptorchid testis than normal intra scrotal testis [3]. That's why an abdominal testis presents a greater risk for TGCT than an inguinal testis [4]. Seminoma is the most common single histologic type of germinal testicular neoplasms. Nevertheless 5-10% of testicular tumours occur in the contra lateral, normally descended testis. Contrary to popular belief or chiopexy does not alter the malignant potential of the cryptorchid testis; Indeed, it only facilitates examination and tumour detection [5]. We describe three clinical stages for the extension of the tumour.
In the first one the tumour is limited to the testis with or without invasion of epididymis or the spermatic cord. While for the second stage the tumour has retroperitoneal lymphnode metastases. And finally with regard to the third Stage tumour has distant metastases. Seminoma has a high metastatic potential especially as it is highly predictable. Indeed, lymphatic metastases concern the retroperitoneal ganglia before an additional systemic implantation [6]. Finally, if the metastasis sites were to be classified in decreasing order of frequency, the retroperitoneal lymphnodes, the lungs, the liver, the mediastinal lymphnodes, the brain, the kidney, the gastrointestinal tract -intestinal, bones, adrenals, peritonoma and finally the spleen [7]. It is important to remember that unlike other germ cell tumors, the choriocarcinoma, is characterized by an early hematogenous spread. The main possible prognostic factors in the treatment of seminomas are age, tumor size, lymphovascular invasion, number of mitotics, necrosis, percentage of giant cell and tumour in filtrating lymphocytes [8].
Clinical presentations of intra-abdominal malignant testicles may range from asymptomatic mass to symptoms simulating an acute abdomen: appendicitis a strangulated hernia. Sometimes it mimics a simple urinary infection or dysuria by mass effect on a bladder or retroperitoneal heaviness [9]. The radiological and preoperative diagnosis of torsion of the intra-abdominal testicular tumor is rare and often difficult. Indeed, at the time of the anamnesis the cryptorchidia is not found and the imaging characteristic scan be non-specific. This is why mindful interrogation, thorough physical examination of the abdomen and genital organs, heed ful reading of radiological films and, above all, awareness of such complications badly lowered testicle. All this will improve diagnostic performance.

Conclusion
Any abdominal mass in a patient with a testicular migration abnormality, requires the clinician to suspect germ cell tumor regardless of the value of the tumor markers. A percutaneous biopsy may be indicated to prove the existence of germ cells. Only early diagnosis of undescended testicles and their lowering in the bursa make it possible to avoid such clinical forms.