RESUMEN
Testicular tumors are rare in children, representing a small percentage of pediatric solid tumors, with an incidence of 2 cases per 100,000 males. Teratomas, which are the most prevalent tumors in infants, may manifest in mature, immature, or malignant forms. While mature teratomas are typically found in the abdomen, intratesticular prepubertal-type teratomas in infants are infrequent. The present study describes the case of an infant with an intratesticular mature teratoma. A 6-month-old male infant presented with right-sided scrotal swelling, which was noted by his parents. There was no family history of similar conditions, and an investigation of his medical history did not reveal any notable findings. A physical examination revealed a non-reducible, solid mass indistinguishable from the right testicle, with no signs of inflammation or systemic symptoms. A scrotal sonography confirmed a large intratesticular cyst. The levels of α-fetoprotein and ß-human chorionic gonadotropin were normal. Surgical tumor enucleation was performed, and the histopathological examination revealed a benign, prepubertal-type teratoma composed entirely of mature elements. Surgical intervention is commonly used for the management of benign testicular tumors in pediatric patients, including prepubertal teratomas. This approach demonstrates an excellent prognosis as it does not elevate the likelihood of recurrence. Prepubertal-type teratomas have rarely been reported in the infantile testis. They may present as a solid mass indistinguishable from the testicle, with no signs of inflammation.
RESUMEN
Background: Toxoplasma gondii is an opportunistic protozoan parasite that causes a life-threatening disease - toxoplasmosis - in immunocompromised individuals, including patients with cancer. This prospective cross-sectional study set out to determine the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in patients with cancer compared with that of healthy individuals. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in Sulaimani City of Iraq from November 2019 to May 2020. Anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies were measured in the blood samples of 113 patients with cancer (80 with solid organ tumors and 33 with haematological malignancies) entered to Hiwa Cancer Hospital and 82 healthy controls, who were referred to the Directorate of Blood Transfusion for blood donation, using chemiluminescence microparticle immunoassay (CMIA). Results: The prevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG was 39.8% in the patient group and 24.4% in the control group, which amounted to a significant difference (P = 0.024). Only one case of anti-T. gondii IgM positivity was observed in the patient group, and no IgM seropositivity was reported in the control group. Moreover, the seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG was non-significantly higher (P = 0.102) in the patients with haematological malignancies (51.5%) than in those with solid organ tumors (35%). Occupation was the only risk factor which had a significant association with T gondii infection (odds ratio [OR]: 1.3, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.6746163 - 2.4282788, P = 0.029). Conclusion: The prevalence of T. gondii infection is higher in patients with cancer than in healthy individuals. Therefore, T. gondii screening in patients with cancer is recommended.