Abstract
The diverse embryological origins of the contents of the scrotum create an environment that fosters a wide variety of unusual pathologies. Most scrotal pathologies are discovered by the patient and are initially evaluated by a thorough physical examination and scrotal ultrasonography. Scrotal lesions can be broadly grouped by the anatomical location in which they develop; the clinician must consider a wide differential diagnosis based on this location. Solid testicular masses are considered germ cell tumors until proven otherwise, but numerous other possible pathologies exist, including ectopic tissue, metastasis, and other neoplastic growths. Rete testis lesions are classified as developmental, benign or malignant. Cystic lesions of the epididymis are most commonly benign, but malignant neoplasms can also be present. The paratesticular region has the broadest differential diagnosis, as it contains numerous distinct structures and is a common location for ectopic tissue and metastatic disease; a narrower range of lesions develop in the scrotal wall because of its simpler anatomy. Treatment options range from conservative observation to wide surgical excision and should be considered carefully; the aim of therapy is to remove malignant or potentially malignant tissue while minimizing effects on fertility and function.
Key Points
-
Differential diagnosis of a scrotal mass is complicated by the numerous distinct structures found in the scrotum
-
The diversity of pathologies found in the scrotum can be partially explained by the numerous embryological origins of its structures
-
Final diagnosis might not be achieved until removal and examination of the specimen, which requires intimate anatomical knowledge
-
Urologists should be aware of the myriad of pathologies that can present in the scrotum
-
Knowledge of rare scrotal pathologies can prevent excessive treatment while maximizing the patient's safety
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 12 print issues and online access
$209.00 per year
only $17.42 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on SpringerLink
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results, National Cancer Institute. SEER Stat Fact Sheets. Cancer: Testis. [online] (2009).
Jones, E. C., Murray, S. K. & Young, R. H. Cysts and epithelial proliferations of the testicular collecting system (including rete testis). Semin. Diagn. Pathol. 17, 270–293 (2000).
Butterworth, D. M. & Bisset, D. L. Cribriform intra-tubular epididymal change and adenomatous hyperplasia of the rete testis—a consequence of testicular atrophy. Histopathology 21, 435–438 (1992).
Newbold, R. R., Bullock, B. C. & McLachlan, J. A. Adenocarcinoma of the rete testis: diethylstilbestrol-induced lesions of the mouse rete testis. Am. J. Pathol. 125, 625–628 (1986).
Sapino, A., Pagani, A., Godano, A. & Bussolati, G. Effects of estrogens on the testis of transsexuals: a pathological and immunocytochemical study. Virchows Arch. A Pathol. Anat. Histopathol. 411, 409–414 (1987).
Munden, M. M. & Trautwein, L. M. Scrotal pathology in pediatrics with sonographic imaging. Curr. Probl. Diagn. Radiol. 29, 185–205 (2000).
Smith, P. J., DeSouza, R. & Roth, D. R. Cystic dysplasia of the rete testis. Urology 72, 230e7–230e10 (2008).
Nistal, M., Mate, A. & Paniagua, R. Cystic transformation of the rete testis. Am. J. Surg. Pathol. 20, 1231–1239 (1996).
Kogan, S. J. Testicular cystic dysplasia—a diagnostic and therapeutic enigma. J. Urol. 162, 2149 (1999).
Akbar, S., Sayyed, T. A., Jafri, S. Z., Hasteh, F. & Neill, J. S. Multimodality imaging of paratesticular neoplasms and their rare mimics. Radiographics 23, 1461–1476 (2003).
Choyke, P. L. et al. Epididymal cystadenomas in von Hippel–Lindau disease. Urology 49, 926–931 (1997).
Crisp-Lindgren, N., Travers, H., Wells, M. M. & Cawley, L. P. Papillary adenocarcinoma of the rete testis: autopsy findings, histochemistry, immunochemistry, ultrastructure, and clinical correlations. Am. J. Surg. Pathol. 12, 492–501 (1988).
Perimenis, P., Athanasopoulos, A. & Speakman, M. Primary adenocarcinoma of the rete testis. Int. Urol. Nephrol. 35, 373–374 (2003).
Nochomovitz, L. E. & Orenstein, J. M. Adenocarcinoma of the rete testis: case report, ultrastructural observations and clinicopathologic correlates. Am. J. Surg. Pathol. 8, 625–634 (1984).
Smart, J. M., Jackson, E. K., Redman, S. L., Rutherford, E. E. & Dewbury, K. C. Ultrasound findings of masses of the paratesticular space. Clin. Radiol. 63, 929–938 (2008).
Elsasser, E. Tumors of the epididymis. Recent Results Cancer Res. 60, 163–175 (1977).
Beccia, D. J., Krane, R. J. & Olsson, C. A. Clinical management of non-testicular intrascrotal tumors. J. Urol. 116, 476–479 (1976).
Whitehead, E. D. & Leiter, E. Genital abnormalities and abnormal semen analysis in male patients exposed to diethylstilbestrol in utero . J. Urol. 125, 47–50 (1981).
Mostofi, F. K. & Price, E. B. (eds) Tumors of the Male Genital System. Atlas of Tumor Pathology. Fascicle 8, 2nd Series (Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Washington, D. C., 1973).
Richie, J. P. & Steele, G. S. Neoplasms of the testis. In Campbell–Walsh Urology, 9th edn Vol. 1, Ch. 29 (eds Wein, A. J. et al.) 893–935 (Saunders, Philadelphia, 2007).
Tammela, T. L. et al. Intrascrotal adenomatoid tumors. J. Urol. 146, 61–65 (1991).
Witten, F. R., O'Brien, D. B. III, Sewell, C. W. & Wheatley, J. K. Bilateral clear cell papillary cystadenomas of the epididymis presenting as infertility: an early manifestation of von Hippel–Lindau's syndrome. J. Urol. 133, 1062–1064 (1985).
Fumo, M. J., Al Assi, O. & Liroff, S. Leiomyoma of the epididymis treated with partial epididymectomy. Nat. Clin. Pract. Urol. 3, 504–507 (2006).
Kok, K. Y. & Telesinghe, P. U. Lymphangioma of the epididymis. Singapore Med. J. 43, 249–250 (2002).
Grossgold, E. T. & Kusuda, L. Scrotal lymphangioma in an adult. Urology 70, 590e1–590e2 (2007).
Loberant, N. et al. Role of Doppler sonography in the diagnosis of cystic lymphangioma of the scrotum. J. Clin. Ultrasound 30, 384–387 (2002).
Young, R. H. & Scully, R. E. Testicular and paratesticular tumors and tumor-like lesions of ovarian common epithelial and Müllerian types: a report of four cases and review of the literature. Am. J. Clin. Pathol. 86, 146–152 (1986).
Ro, J. Y., Amin, M. B., Kim, K.-R. & Ayala, A. G. Tumors of the male genital tract. In Diagnostic Histopathology of Tumors, 3rd edn Ch. 14, Part B (ed. Fletcher, C.) 812–826 (Churchill Livingston, London, 2007).
Karaman, M. I. & Gonzales, E. T. Jr. Splenogonadal fusion: report of 2 cases and review of the literature. J. Urol. 155, 309–311 (1996).
Irkilata, H. et al. Splenogonadal fusion in adults: presentation of three cases and review of literature. Urol. Int. 81, 360–363 (2008).
Gouw, A. S., Elema, J., Bink-Boelkens, M. T., de Jongh, H. J. & ten Kate, L. P. The spectrum of splenogonadal fusion: case report and review of 84 reported cases. Eur. J. Pediatr. 144, 316–323 (1985).
Ando, S. et al. Splenogonadal fusion: case report and review of published works. Int. J. Urol. 13, 1539–1541 (2006).
VanBeek, C. A., Peters, C. A. & Vargas, S. O. Ectopic prostate tissue within the processus vaginalis: insights into prostate embryogenesis. Pediatr. Dev. Pathol. 8, 379–385 (2005).
Chan, J. K., Chow, T. C. & Tsui, M. S. Prostatic-type polyps of the lower urinary tract: three histogenetic types? Histopathology 11, 789–801 (1987).
Jones, M. A., Young, R. H. & Scully, R. E. Adenocarcinoma of the epididymis: a report of four cases and a review of the literature. Am. J. Surg. Pathol. 21, 1474–1480 (1997).
Algaba, F., Santaularia, J. M. & Villavicencio, H. Metastatic tumor of the epididymis and spermatic cord. Eur. Urol. 9, 56–59 (1983).
Ribalta, T., Ro, J. Y., Sahin, A. A., Dexeus, F. & Ayala, A. Intrascrotal metatstic renal cell carcinoma. Report of two cases and review of the literature. J. Urol. Pathol. 1, 209–210 (1993).
Inoue, H., Mizutani, S. & Miyoshi, S. A case of malignant lymphoma presenting as epididymal tumor [Japanese]. Hinyokika Kiyo 44, 195–198 (1998).
Bacon, C. M. et al. Primary follicular lymphoma of the testis and epididymis in adults. Am. J. Surg. Pathol. 31, 1050–1058 (2007).
McDermott, M. B., O'Briain, D. S., Shiels, O. M. & Daly, P. A. Malignant lymphoma of the epididymis: a case report of bilateral involvement by a follicular large cell lymphoma. Cancer 75, 2174–2179 (1995).
Kanungo, A. & Chandi, S. M. Melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of the epididymis. Indian J. Cancer 31, 138–140 (1994).
Pantanowitz, L. et al. Diagnostic cytologic features of an epididymal melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy present in scrotal fluid. Acta Cytol. 50, 460–465 (2006).
Au, W. et al. T cell intravascular lymphomatosis (angiotropic large cell lymphoma): association with Epstein–Barr viral infection. Histopathology 31, 563–567 (1997).
Ulbright, T. M. & Young, R. H. Primary mucinous tumors of the testis and paratestis: a report of nine cases. Am. J. Surg. Pathol. 27, 1221–1228 (2003).
Young, R. H. & Scully, R. E. Differential diagnosis of ovarian tumors based primarily on their patterns and cell types. Semin. Diagn. Pathol. 18, 161–235 (2002).
Türkyilmaz, Z. et al. A childhood case of intrascrotal neurofibroma with a brief review of the literature. J. Pediatr. Surg. 39, 1261–1263 (2004).
Aragona, F., Talenti, E., Santacatterina, U., Perale, R. & Passerini-Glazel, G. Unusual, benign asymptomatic scrotal masses in children: case reports and review of literature. Int. Urol. Nephrol. 26, 563–570 (1994).
Mitterberger, M. et al. Do mountain bikers have a higher risk of scrotal disorders than on-road cyclists? Clin. J. Sport Med. 18, 49–54 (2008).
McAleer, I. M., Kaplan, G. W. & LoSasso, B. E. Renal and testis injuries in team sports. J. Urol. 168, 1805–1807 (2002).
Turgut, A. T., Kosar, U., Kosar, P. & Karabulut, A. Scrotal sonographic findings in equestrians. J. Ultrasound Med. 24, 911–917 (2005).
Artas, H. & Orhan, I. Scrotal calculi. J. Ultrasound Med. 26, 1775–1779 (2007).
Dy, J. S., Fuchs, A. & Palmer, L. S. Benign intrascrotal lipoblastoma in a child. Urology 70, 372e1–372e2 (2007).
Tobias-Machado, M., Corrêa Lopes Nieto, A., Heloisa Simardi, L., Borrelli, M. & Wroclawski, E. R. Fibrous pseudotumor of the tunica vaginalis and epididymis. Urology 56, 670–672 (2000).
Woodward, P. J., Schwab, C. M. & Sesterhenn, I. A. From the archives of the AFIP: extratesticular scrotal masses: radiologic–pathologic correlation. Radiographics 23, 215–240 (2002).
Jones, M. A., Young, R. H. & Scully, R. E. Benign fibromatous tumors of the testis and paratesticular region: a report of 9 cases with a proposed classification of fibromatous tumors and tumor-like lesions. Am. J. Surg. Pathol. 21, 296–305 (1997).
Terada, T. et al. Primary sclerosing lipogranuloma with broad necrosis of scrotum. Pathol. Int. 53, 121–125 (2003).
Han, K., Mata, J. & Zaintz, M. R. Meconium masquerading as a scrotal mass. Br. J. Urol. 82, 765–767 (1998).
Kizer, J. R., Bellah, R. D., Schnaufer, I. & Canning, D. A. Meconium hydrocele in a female newborn: an unusual cause of a labial mass. J. Urol. 153, 188–190 (1995).
Balogh, K. & Travis, W. D. Benign vascular invasion in vasitis nodosa. Am. J. Clin. Pathol. 83, 426–430 (1985).
Brauers, A., Striepecke, E., Mersdorf, A., Sohn, M. & Füzesi, L. Inflammatory pseudotumor of the epididymis. Eur. Urol. 32, 253–255 (1997).
Khalil, K. H., Ball, R. Y., Eardley, I. & Ashken, M. H. Inflammatory pseudotumor of the rete testis. J. Urol. Pathol. 5, 39–40 (1996).
Donohue, R. & Utley, W. L. Idiopathic fat necrosis in the scrotum. Br. J. Urol. 41, 331–333 (1975).
Hua, X., Mao-Sheng, X., Hong-Quan, G. & Fang, C. Primary paratesticular neuroblastoma: a case report and review of the literature. J. Pediatr. Surg. 43, e5–e7 (2008).
Okur, H., Küçükaydin, M., Kazez, A. & Kontas, O. Ectopic adrenal tissue in the inguinal region in children. Pediatr. Pathol. Lab. Med. 15, 763–767 (1995).
Idrees, M., Hoch, B. L., Wang, B. Y. & Unger, P. D. Aggressive angiomyxoma of male genital region: report of 4 cases with immunohistochemical evaluation including hormone receptor status. Ann. Diagn. Pathol. 10, 197–204 (2006).
Rhomberg, W. et al. Aggressive angiomyxoma: irradiation for recurrent disease. Strahlenther. Onkol. 176, 324–326 (2000).
Tiryaki, T., Aycan, Z., Hücümenoglu, S. & Atayurt, H. Testis sparing surgery for steroid unresponsive testicular tumors of congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Pediatr. Surg. Int. 21, 853–855 (2005).
van der Grinten, C. H. L. et al. Testicular tumors in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency show functional features of adrenocortical tissue. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 92, 3674–3680 (2007).
Martinez-Aguayo, A. et al. Testicular adrenal rest tumors and Leydig and Sertoli cell function in boys with classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 92, 4583–4589 (2007).
Khoubehi, B., Mishra, V., Ali, M., Motiwala, H. & Karim, O. Adult paratesticular tumors. BJU Int. 90, 707–715 (2002).
Silvestris, N. et al. Unique case of giant adult paratesticular spindle cell rhabdomyosarcoma. J. Urol. 73, 500–502 (2009).
Ferrari, A. et al. The management of paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma: a single institutional experience with 44 consecutive children. J. Urol. 159, 1031–1034 (1998).
Glazier, D. B., Vates, T. S., Cummings, K. B. & Pickens, R. L. Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the spermatic cord. J. Urol. 155, 955–957 (1996).
Plas, E., Riedl, C. R. & Pflüger, H. Malignant mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis testis: review of the literature and assessment of prognostic parameters. Cancer 83, 2437–2446 (1998).
Boyum, J. & Wasserman, N. F. Malignant mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis testis: a case illustrating Doppler color flow imaging and its potential for preoperative diagnosis. J. Ultrasound Med. 27, 1249–1255 (2008).
Kang, T. W. et al. Intrascrotal extratesticular arteriovenous malformation. Urology 64, 590 (2004).
Sule, J. D., Lemmers, M. J. & Barry, J. M. Scrotal arteriovenous malformation: case report and literature review. J. Urol. 150, 1917–1919 (1993).
Agrawal, V., Dangle, P., Minhas, S., Ralph, D. & Christopher, N. Recurrent arteriovenous malformation of the scrotum secondary to pelvic trauma. Urol. Int. 77, 365–367 (2006).
Hara, N., Kawaguchi, M., Koike, H. & Takahashi, K. Median raphe cyst in the scrotum, mimicking a serous borderline tumor, associated with cryptorchidism after orchiopecxy. Int. J. Urol. 11, 1150–1152 (2004).
Little, J. S., Keating, M. A. & Rink, R. C. Median raphe cysts of the genitalia. J. Urol. 148, 1872–1873 (1992).
Aragona, F. et al. Painless scrotal masses in the pediatric population: prevalance and age distribution of different pathological conditions—a 10-year retrospective multicenter study. J. Urol. 155, 1424–1426 (1996).
Lee, S. D. & Cha, C. S. Asynchronous bilateral torsion of the spermatic cord in the newborn: a case report. J. Korean Med. Sci. 17, 712–714 (2002).
Rehman, J., Rizkala, E. R., Chughtai, B. & Khan, S. A. Hypoechoic testicluar mass: a case of testicular and epididymal sarcoidosis. Urology 66, 657.e9–657.e10 (2005).
Hallak, J. et al. Organ-sparing microsurgical resection of incidental testicular tumors plus microdissection for sperm extraction and cryopreservation in azoospermic patients: surgical aspects and technical refinements. Urology 73, 887–891 (2009).
Leroy, X., Rigot, J. M., Aubert, S., Ballereau, C. & Gosselin, B. Value of frozen section examination for the management of nonpalpable incidental testicular tumors. Eur. Urol. 44, 458–460 (2003).
Algaba, F. et al. Pseudoneoplastic lesions of the testis and paratesticular structures. Virchows Arch. 451, 987–997 (2007).
Sundaram, S. & Smith, D. H. Giant cell arteritis mimicking a testicular tumor. Rheumatol. Int. 20, 215–216 (2001).
Kariv, R., Sidi, Y. & Gur, H. Systemic vasculitis presenting as a tumorlike lesion: four case reports and an analysis of 79 reported cases. Medicine (Baltimore) 79, 349–359 (2000).
Ameur, A., al Bouzidi, A., Aqira, A., Benomar, S. & Draoui, D. Granulomatous orchitis: a case report and review of the literature [French]. Prog. Urol. 8, 410–412 (1998).
Green, W. O. Jr. Malacoplakia of the epidydmis (without testicular involvement): the first reported case. Arch. Pathol. 86, 438–441 (1968).
Nieto, N. et al. Juvenile granulosa cell tumor of the tests: case report and review of the literature. Tumori 88, 72–74 (2002).
Dogra, V. S., Gottlieb, R. H., Oka, M. & Rubens, D. J. Sonography of the scrotum. Radiology 227, 18–36 (2003).
Hassan, A., El-Mogy, S. & Mostafa, T. Triorchidism: a case report and review of similar conditions. Andrologia 40, 265–269 (2008).
Al-Hibbal, Z. & Izzidien, A. Y. Polyorchidism: case report and review of the literature. J. Pediatr. Surg. 19, 212 (1984).
Athwal, S., Tailor, J. & Lakhoo, K. Triorchidism at orchidopexy; a case report. J. Med. Case Reports 2, 247 (2008).
Nane, I., Ozkan, L. & Ander, H. Inguinal orchiectomy for the extra testis with suspected tumor in a polyorchidic patient: a case report. Int. Urol. Nephrol. 39, 557–559 (2007).
Bhogal, R. H., Palit, A. & Prasad, K. K. Conservative management of polyorchidism in a young man: a case report and review of literature. Pediatr. Surg. Int. 23, 689–691 (2007).
Singer, B. R., Donaldson, J. G. & Jackson, D. S. Polyorchidism: functional classification and management strategy. Urology 39, 384–388 (1992).
Bozgeyik, Z., Kocakoç, E. & Oztürk, T. Polyorchidism with lobulation and septa in supernumerary testis. Diagn. Interv. Radiol. 14, 100–102 (2008).
Chang, Y. H., Chuang, C. K., Wu, C. T., Ng, K. F. & Liao, S. K. Primary carcinoid tumor of the testis: case report. Chang Gung Med. J. 25, 695–699 (2002).
Acknowledgements
We thank Kristina Greiner for critical reading of the manuscript.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Competing interests
The authors declare no competing financial interests.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Rosevear, H., Mishail, A., Sheynkin, Y. et al. Unusual scrotal pathology: an overview. Nat Rev Urol 6, 491–500 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrurol.2009.149
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrurol.2009.149