Comparison of clinical characteristics of testicular tumor between children and adult population: a retrospective analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Testicular tumor (TT) is a uncommon disease posing serious health problem. There are differences in some aspects between adult and pediatric TT. The study was to compare their differences of clinical and histological characteristics through the analysis of the long-term experiences in TT patients from two institutions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical data of hospitalized patients was collected and analyzed retrospectively from January 2014 to January 2024 at a pediatric and an adult institution, respectively. The data included composition, gender, age, initial presentation, tumor size, tumor markers, pathological diagnosis. RESULTS: A total of 195 hospitalized patients were included. There were 135 children and 60 adult with TT, respectively. Of these children, patients were aged from 1 month to 14 years, with a mean age of 2.32 years. More cases (37.04%) were diagnosed at age younger than 1 years. 69 cases were left-sided, 65 cases were right-side and only 1 case was bilateral. Pediatric TTs mainly included 82 prepubertal teratomas, 37 had prepubertal yolk sac tumors and 3 mixed malignant germ tumors. Testicular surgeries included testicular-sparing surgery (TSS) (n = 73), radical orchiectomy (n = 60), and testicular biopsy (n = 2). There were 24 patients receiving postoperative chemotherapy. Adult TTs mainly contained 17 seminomas, 10 prepubertal teratomas,7 postpubertal teratomas, 6 stromal tumors and 3 embryonal carcinomas. The average age was 34.08 years. There were 29 right-sided, 27 left-sided and 4 bilateral tumors. TSS (n = 26), radical orchiectomy (n = 33), and testicular biopsy (n = 1) were performed in these TT patients. Only 6 patients received postoperative chemotherapy. The most common symptom was a painless scrotal mass at initial diagnosis in both groups. In addition, we found that significant differences were explored between histological type and age, tumor size (P < 0.05). Yolk sac tumor and seminoma were the most common malignant TT in pediatric and adult population, respectively. After two year follow-up, two children with yolk sac tumor and 4 adults with seminoma died of their diseases. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of pediatric cases were benign compared to adult. The most common type was prepubertal teratoma and yolk sac tumor. Pediatric TTs often occurred under the age of 1 year. Seminomas and prepubertal teratomas were commonly found in adult TTs, especially for young adult. We found that pediatric tumor type was associated with age and tumor size. TSS should be considered for benign TTs based on frozen biopsy findings in children.

Anti-NMDAR encephalitis with delayed ovarian teratoma in a young woman: a case report with 5 years of follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis is an autoimmune disorder with a variety of clinical manifestations. It has been established that anti-NMDAR encephalitis may be related to ovarian teratoma in female patients. However, a considerable number of patients have no obvious evidence of ovarian teratoma during the onset of the disease. CASE: A 25-year-old previously-healthy female experienced a series of acute symptoms within two days, including confusion, disorientation, short-term memory loss, auditory hallucinations, abnormal behavior, refractory status epilepticus, etc. Her brain MRI and abdominal imaging showed no definite abnormality while her electroencephalogram exhibited the presence of low to moderate amplitude sharp, spike, and multi-spike waves. Serum and cerebrospinal fluid tests yielded positive results for anti-NMDAR antibodies. However, an ultrasound scan failed to identify an ovarian teratoma. Consequently, the diagnosis of anti-NMDAR encephalitis without teratoma was made after 4 days onset. After the plasma exchange and immunoglobulin therapy, her neurological symptoms improved and obtained a clinical cure. In the next eight months of follow-up, the patient accidentally touched a lump in the lower abdomen without any symptoms, and abdominal ultrasound and CT scan revealed a left ovarian tumor. Then she underwent left ovarian teratoma resection surgery and histopathology showed a mature cystic teratoma with neural components. The patient continued to receive five years of follow-up, and her condition remained stable without any recurrence, except that there had been a low titer of anti-NMDAR antibody in her serum. CONCLUSION: Our case demonstrated the importance of long-term follow-up for female patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis, since anti-NMDAR encephalitis-associated ovarian teratomas may develop in a delayed manner, even without any symptoms.

Spinal Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor in a 14-Year-old Child With Down Syndrome: A Case Report.

Individuals with 21 trisomy or Down syndrome (DS) are known to have an increased risk of acute leukemia, while they rarely develop solid or central nervous system (CNS) tumors. Atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (ATRT) is a highly aggressive CNS-WHO grade 4 neoplasm, which has never been reported in association with Down syndrome. We present a case study of a 14-year-old female with Down syndrome, diagnosed with intradural-extramedullary spinal ATRT. The chief complaints included bilateral lower limb weakness, constipation, and urinary incontinence for 2 weeks. Surgery was scheduled, and a biopsy was taken. The histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and molecular analysis confirmed the diagnosis of the ATRT-MYC/group 2B subgroup. This report highlights the challenges of managing a patient with complex medical conditions. Moreover, it adds to the existing literature on CNS tumors in patients with Down syndrome.

Fetal cardiac teratoma and pericardiocentesis: A case report.

Fetal pericardial teratomas are rare. They present with pericardial effusion and hydrops. The definitive management is postnatal resection of the tumor. The exact antenatal management is not known due to its rarity. We present a case of fetal pericardial teratoma with pericardial tamponade. Pericardiocentesis performed at 31 weeks significantly relieved the venous compression, leading to resolution of hydrops and prolonging the gestational age for the definitive management.

Teratoma combined with struma ovarii and sarcomatoid carcinoma: a case report and review of the literature.

This is a rare case of struma ovarii combined with sarcomatoid carcinoma. Because struma ovarii and ovarian sarcomatoid carcinoma have an extremely low incidence, this may be the first case of a combined occurrence of both. Therefore, this report describes its clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment, analyzes the pathogenesis, and summarizes the previous literature in the hope that it can be helpful to other tumor-related medical personnel and provide material support for the formation of guidelines for this disease.

Clinical features and treatment options for pediatric adrenal incidentalomas: a retrospective single center study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical features and treatment options for pediatric adrenal incidentalomas(AIs) to guide the diagnosis and treatment of these tumors. METHODS: The clinical data of AI patients admitted to our hospital between December 2016 and December 2022 were collected and retrospectively analyzed. All patients were divided into neonatal and nonneonatal groups according to their age at the time of the initial consultation. RESULTS: In the neonatal group, 13 patients were observed and followed up, and the masses completely disappeared in 8 patients and were significantly reduced in size in 5 patients compared with the previous findings. Four patients ultimately underwent surgery, and the postoperative pathological diagnosis was neuroblastoma in three patients and teratoma in one patient. In the nonneonatal group, there were 18 cases of benign tumors, including 9 cases of ganglioneuroma, 2 cases of adrenocortical adenoma, 2 cases of adrenal cyst, 2 cases of teratoma, 1 case of pheochromocytoma, 1 case of nerve sheath tumor, and 1 case of adrenal hemorrhage; and 20 cases of malignant tumors, including 10 cases of neuroblastoma, 9 cases of ganglioneuroblastoma, and 1 case of adrenocortical carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: Neuroblastoma is the most common type of nonneonatal AI, and detailed laboratory investigations and imaging studies are recommended for aggressive evaluation and treatment in this population. The rate of spontaneous regression of AI is high in neonates, and close observation is feasible if the tumor is small, confined to the adrenal gland and has no distant metastasis.

Pediatric mediastinal lymphatic malformation: misdiagnosis analysis and literature review.

OBJECTIVES: Mediastinal cystic lymphatic malformation (MCLM) in children is prone to misdiagnosis as cystic teratoma. We compared the clinical and radiologic features between the two diseases and performed a cross-comparison with previous research on adult cases. This study aims to identify characteristic pediatric manifestations to improve diagnostic accuracy. METHODS: A retrospective study of clinical and radiologic data was conducted on 12 MCLM and 20 cases of cystic teratomas confirmed by pathology or intervention biopsy. Clinical characters and radiology features (mass location and morphology, density, component, secondary complication) were recorded and compared. We reviewed clinical studies on MCLM published in the past decades, analyzing radiological differences and comparing pediatric MCLM cases at our hospital with those in the literature. RESULTS: Group comparison in pediatrics between MCLM and cystic teratomas: There were significant age differences (p = 0.036), shape (p = 0.003), CT difference value (p < 0.001), CT difference ratio (p < 0.001), calcification (p < 0.001), fat (p < 0.001), and typing (p < 0.001) between the two diseases. An analysis of literature data on MCLM cases involved 16 studies. CONCLUSION: The absence of internal fat or irregular morphology, along with a minimal CT difference value, may suggest the diagnosis of MCLM. In pediatric cases, anterior mediastinal diseases tend to extend toward the neck, and the presence of the thymus can complicate the component analysis, thereby increasing the risk of misdiagnosis. Clinical diagnosis and differential diagnosis of pediatric MCLM rely heavily on imaging evaluation.

Decoding pediatric spinal tumors: a single-center retrospective case series on etiology, presentation, therapeutic strategies, and outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Spinal tumors (ST) often result in dire prognosis, carrying risks such as permanent paralysis, sensory loss, and sphincter dysfunction. Data on their incidence and etiology in pediatric populations are markedly scant. Our study investigates the etiology, clinical manifestation, treatment, and outcomes of pediatric ST. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of our institutional pediatric oncology and neurosurgery database, examining 14 patients under 18 years admitted with ST due to oncological diseases since 2005. We analyzed the clinical presentations, evaluations, molecular diagnostics and treatments for these patients. RESULTS: The study spanned 15 years and included 14 pediatric patients, each diagnosed with distinct spinal tumor entity. The mean patient age was approximately 19.6 ± 10.1 months. Severe axial pain along the vertebral column was observed in 13 patients, while acute neurological deterioration manifested in 7 patients. As a first-line intervention, 13 patients underwent decompressive surgery through laminectomy and tumor resection, and only one patient received chemotherapy solely. Before surgery, seven patients were unable to walk; post-surgery, six of them regained their ability to ambulate. The diagnosis encompassed a range of neoplasms: two instances of Ewing sarcoma, 3 instances of teratoma, one case presenting an atypical teratoid Rhabdoid tumor, two instances each of low-grade astrocytoma and neuroblastoma, and single instances of ependymoma, meningioma, rhabdomyosarcoma, and embryonal tumors with multilayered rosettes (ETMRs). Three patients succumbed two years after initiating therapy. CONCLUSION: Despite their rarity, intraspinal tumors in pediatric patients pose substantial therapeutic challenges. The intertwined complexities of the disease entity and the patient's neurological status demand swift initiation of an individualized therapeutic strategy. This crucial step helps optimize outcomes for this patient cohort, who frequently grapple with debilitating health conditions. Inclusion of these patients within a registry is mandatory to optimize treatment outcomes due to their rarity in pediatric population.

Prenatally Diagnosed Congenital Oral Teratoma Successfully Treated in a Neonate.

Teratomas are congenital malformations that rarely occur in the oral cavity. In the case reported here, fetal magnetic resonance imaging performed at 30 weeks of gestation informed the decision-making of the multidisciplinary management team, who closely followed the pregnancy until the scheduled cesarean delivery at 38 weeks of gestation. After delivery, tracheal intubation was performed to ensure airway patency, and tumor resection was scheduled immediately after ruling out contraindications to surgery based on preoperative examinations, allowing for safe excising of the tumor. Postoperative follow-up at 3 months showed no abnormalities.

Pigmented epithelioid melanocytoma arising from a teratoma of a Carney complex patient.

A 25-year-old female Carney complex patient with a PRKAR1A mutation who had undergone surgery to remove teratomas visited our dermatology department. She was suspected of having a malignant melanoma in a teratoma. On clinical examination, a black nodule was found within the cyst. On histopathological examination, the black lesion was composed of heavily pigmented round cells with vesicular nuclei and single prominent nucleoli. Additionally, there were large cells with irregularly shaped nuclei. Upon immunohistochemical examination, the large, irregularly shaped cells were positively stained with Melan A, HMB45, S-100 protein, SOX10, CD10 (focally), and BRAFV600E , but negatively stained with PRAME. Based on the histopathological features, we diagnosed the patient with pigmented epithelioid melanocytoma (PEM) in a teratoma of a Carney complex patient. This is the first case of PEM developing from a teratoma. Since PEM lesions may spread to regional lymph nodes, careful follow-up is necessary.

Growing teratoma syndrome: diagnostic challenges and outcomes.

PURPOSE: The aim of this case report is to emphasize the significance of the growing teratoma syndrome. Growing teratoma syndrome is frequently misdiagnosed due to its low prevalence, with an estimated incidence of 19% among all immature ovarian teratomas and a lack of experience among healthcare professionals. It is characterized by the growth of benign tumoral tissue during or after chemotherapy for malignant germ cell tumors. CASE REPORT: Our case is about a 46-year-old patient diagnosed with an immature teratoma who was treated unsuccessfully with surgery and chemotherapy. The patient was then referred to our hospital for a second opinion, where this unknown entity was diagnosed and underwent complete surgical debulking, including abdominal wall resection and subsequent repair. CONCLUSION: Physicians need to be aware of rapidly growing masses during or after chemotherapy because early recognition of this syndrome is essential for the adequate treatment of our patients.

Clinical analysis of 23 cases of epidermoid cyst of testis in children.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to examine the clinical characteristics and surgical management of pediatric testicular epidermoid cysts, thereby contributing to the existing body of knowledge pertinent to the diagnosis and therapeutic intervention s for this condition. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical records of 23 pediatric patients diagnosed with testicular epidermoid cysts, who were admitted to our institution between April 2013 and February 2024. Concurrently, a comprehensive review and analysis of pertinent literature were undertaken to augment the findings. RESULTS: The mean age at which the onset of epidermoid cysts was observed was 6.0 years. All cases were singular and unilateral. B-ultrasound diagnosis categorized 6 cases as epidermoid cysts, 11 as teratomas, and 6 as indeterminate, yielding a diagnostic sensitivity of 26.1%. All patients underwent testicle-sparing mass resection, and nine patients underwent rapid intraoperative frozen section analysis, revealing eight cases of testicular epidermoid cysts and one teratoma, with a diagnostic sensitivity of 88.89%. Postoperative histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of testicular epidermoid cyst. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric testicular epidermoid cysts are an uncommon occurrence, primarily presenting as a painless scrotal mass, which can mimic the clinical features of malignant testicular tumors. Imaging modalities and histopathological assessment are pivotal in the diagnostic process for pediatric testicular epidermoid cysts. For cases where B-ultrasound is inconclusive, rapid intraoperative pathological examination should be considered.

MicroRNAs in Testicular Germ Cell Tumors: The Teratoma Challenge.

Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) are relatively common in young men, making accurate diagnosis and prognosis assessment essential. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), including microRNA-371a-3p (miR-371a-3p), have shown promise as biomarkers for TGCTs. This review discusses the recent advancements in the use of miRNA biomarkers in TGCTs, with a focus on the challenges surrounding the noninvasive detection of teratomas. Circulating miR-371a-3p, which is expressed in undifferentiated TGCTs but not in teratomas, is a promising biomarker for TGCTs. Its detection in serum, plasma, and, potentially, cystic fluid could be useful for TGCT diagnosis, surveillance, and monitoring of therapeutic response. Other miRNAs, such as miR-375-3p and miR-375-5p, have been investigated to differentiate between TGCT subtypes (teratoma, necrosis/fibrosis, and viable tumors), which can aid in treatment decisions. However, a reliable marker for teratoma has yet to be identified. The clinical applications of miRNA biomarkers could spare patients from unnecessary surgeries and allow for more personalized therapeutic approaches. Particularly in patients with residual masses larger than 1 cm following chemotherapy, it is critical to differentiate between viable tumors, teratomas, and necrosis/fibrosis. Teratomas, which mimic somatic tissues, present a challenge in differentiation and require a comprehensive diagnostic approach. The combination of miR-371 and miR-375 shows potential in enhancing diagnostic precision, aiding in distinguishing between teratomas, viable tumors, and necrosis. The implementation of miRNA biomarkers in TGCT care could improve patient outcomes, reduce overtreatment, and facilitate personalized therapeutic strategies. However, a reliable marker for teratoma is still lacking. Future research should focus on the clinical validation and standardization of these biomarkers to fully realize their potential.

Assessment of Molecular Markers in Pediatric Ovarian Tumors: Romanian Single-Center Experience.

Pediatric ovarian tumors exhibit unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. This study evaluates the expression of SALL4 and OCT3/4 biomarkers in pediatric ovarian tumors and their associations with tumor subtype, stage, and clinical outcome. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 64 patients under 18 years old, examining demographic data, tumor characteristics, immunohistochemical staining, and clinical outcomes. Our results show that SALL4 was significantly expressed in adenocarcinoma, dysgerminoma (DSG), mixed germ cell tumors (GCTs), and immature teratoma, while OCT3/4 was highly expressed in DSG and mixed GCTs. Both markers are associated with a higher tumor grade and stage, indicating a more aggressive disease. The SALL4 positivity expression was correlated with high alpha fetoprotein (AFP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, while OCT3/4 positivity significantly predicted the risk of subsequent metastasis. The mean progression-free survival (PFS) was notably shorter in patients with positive markers. These findings underscore the diagnostic and prognostic value of SALL4 and OCT3/4 in pediatric ovarian tumors, aligning with previous research and supporting their use in clinical practice for better disease management and patient outcomes.

Ovarian teratoma in a Swiss mountain dog.

A Swiss mountain dog, ~3 y old, was brought to a veterinary clinic because of a progressive enlargement of the abdomen. Upon clinical examination, a large mass was detected. After surgical extraction, the mass was confirmed to be a large ovarian teratoma. The weight of the tumor was > 16% of the dog's overall body weight. The dog recovered fully after surgery. The observations from this case suggest that, although teratomas are rare, prompt and accurate diagnosis is necessary to prevent further growth of these masses and to ensure positive outcomes.

Tératome ovarien chez un chien de montage suisse. Un chien de montagne suisse âgé d'environ 3 ans a été présenté dans une clinique vétérinaire en raison d'une augmentation de volume progressive de l'abdomen. Lors de l'examen clinique, une grosse masse a été détectée. À la suite du retrait chirurgical, la masse a été confirmée comme étant un large tératome ovarien. Le poids de la masse tumorale était > 16 % du poids total du chien. Le chien a récupéré complètement après la chirurgie. Les observations à partir de ce cas suggèrent, bien que les tératomes soient rares, un diagnostic rapide et exact est nécessaire pour prévenir une croissance ultérieure de ces masses et assurer une issue positive.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Testicular Mixed Teratoma and Yolk Sac Tumor, Prepubertal Type: A Case Report with Summary of Prior Published Cases.

BACKGROUND: Testicular mixed germ cell tumor is common in the post-pubertal age, less so in prepuberty. There are only 3 reports of prepubertal mixed teratoma and yolk sac tumor. Two of these cases had immature teratoma component and were in the neonatal age group. The third case in a toddler had a mature teratoma component. CASE REPORT: An 18-month-old boy presented with a testicular mass. Serum AFP was elevated (2200 ng/ml). The orchidectomy specimen contained a yolk-sac tumor and a small epidermoid cyst, indicating a mature teratomatous component. CONCLUSION: We report a testicular mixed teratoma and yolk sac tumor, prepubertal type along with summary of prior published cases. There is only one report describing this combination of mature teratoma with yolk sac tumor in the prepubertal testis.

Prenatal diagnosis in estimating the prognosis of sacrococcygeal teratoma.

: Sacrococcygeal teratoma is a rare congenital malformation, the prognosis depends on factors affecting foetal development. The diagnosis is based on ultrasound examination, especially the evaluation of the detailed morphology of the foetus in the 20th week of pregnancy. Therefore, it is crucial to keep looking for ultrasound markers that would prenatally determine the most accurate prognosis for the foetus. Now, we rely on a small number of studies with a predominance of case reports. We offer a literature review of the essential information concerning sacrococcygeal teratoma diagnostics, therapy, and complications of sacrococcygeal teratomas in connection with prenatal diagnosis. It turns out that in cases with a favourable prognosis according to prenatal ultrasound examination and adequate surgical treatment after childbirth, the prognosis of this congenital malformation is excellent.

Congenital Gastric Teratoma Presenting with Gastrointestinal Bleeding: Case Report and Review of Literature.

BACKGROUND: Gastric teratoma is an extremely rare tumor, representing <1% of all pediatric teratomas, and commonly manifests as a palpable abdominal mass. Upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding in newborns and infants is rare and is mostly caused by a benign lesion. CASE REPORT: We present a 3-month-old boy who presented with recurrent attacks of hematemesis, vomiting, and melena which on work up revealed a gastric teratoma. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Owing to the unique characteristics and the extreme rarity of this entity, accurate preoperative diagnosis has remained elusive.

Ruptured Ovarian Cystic Teratoma: A Rare Diagnosis, Easily to Be Confused with Peritoneal Carcinomatosis.

Although ovarian cystic teratoma is the most common ovarian tumor, complications are quite rare. However, it is important to be recognized by the radiologist in order to avoid inaccurately diagnosing them as malignant lesions. This case report describes a 61-year-old postmenopausal woman, who presented to the emergency room with abdominal pain following a minor blunt abdominal trauma. In this context, a CT scan was performed, which showed the presence of round, hypodense masses randomly distributed in the peritoneum, with coexisting ascites in moderate amount; ovarian carcinoma with peritoneal carcinomatosis was suspected. The patient was hospitalized and an MRI of the abdomen and pelvis was recommended for a more detailed lesion characterization. Following this examination, the patient was diagnosed with mature cystic ovarian teratoma complicated by rupture. Surgery was performed, and the outcome was favorable. The cases of ruptured cystic teratomas are rare, and to our knowledge, this is the first occurrence described in literature. Special attention must be paid when confronting with such a case in medical practice, since it can easily misdiagnosed as peritoneal carcinomatosis.

Congenital orofacial teratoma in a 22-week foetus.

No abstract available.