Open AccessTestis-sparing surgery for benign and malignant tumors: A critical analysis of the literature
Author(s) -
Gianluca Giannarini,
Andrea Mogorovich,
Irene Bardelli,
Francesca Manassero,
Cesare Selli
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
indian journal of urology/indian journal of urology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.333
H-Index - 30
eISSN - 1998-3824
pISSN - 0970-1591
DOI - 10.4103/0970-1591.44249
Subject(s) - medicine , asymptomatic , testicular cancer , frozen section procedure , radiation therapy , radiology , population , parenchyma , surgery , cancer , pathology , environmental health
In order to explore the latest advances in organ-sparing treatment of testicular tumors, a literature search of the Medline/PubMed database was carried out for published data in the English language up to 2007.In the recent past the management of testicular tumors has evolved in favor of a testis-sparing approach in selected cases, both in the adult and pediatric population. The widespread use of high-frequency testicular ultrasound has led to detecting an increasing number of asymptomatic, non-palpable, small-volume masses. A higher proportion of testicular lesions of benign nature than previously reported has now been documented. The high accuracy of frozen section examination and the increasing interest in the potential functional, psychological and cosmetic advantages related to preserved testicular parenchyma are other arguments currently favoring the adoption of an organ-sparing policy for most testicular masses. Greater experience has been gained in also managing conservatively malignant tumors. Patients with germ-cell cancer in solitary testis or bilateral tumors can be submitted to testis-sparing surgery, provided that the maximum size of the lesion is <2 cm, preoperative testosterone is normal and adjuvant radiotherapy of the residual parenchyma is delivered. Cancer-specific survival is excellent, local recurrence rate very low and androgen supplementation unlikely.