Testicular tumors are uncommon tumors of the testicles that can be benign or malignant. These tumors occur in males of any age group. Clinical symptoms of testicular tumors include hardness, swelling, pain, and abnormalities in the shape and size of the affected testis. Other body parts may also be affected due to metastasis such as lungs, lymph nodes, liver, and the central nervous system. According to the origin of the tumors, testicular tumors can be classified into three main types: germ cell tumors, non-germ cell tumors, and extragonadal tumors. Germ cell tumors form the majority of testicular tumor cases and they are histologically subdivided to yolk sac tumor, teratoma (tumors derived from pluripotential cells), teratocarcinoma, and seminoma. Alpha-fetoprotein is usually detected in the blood of two-thirds of children with malignant teratoma.
The overall incidence of testicular tumors ranges from 0.2 to 10.3 cases per 100,000 individuals and the highest rates have been found in Norway, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland. Testicular tumors account 1-2% of all pediatric solid tumors. Diagnosis of testicular tumors is confirmed by radiological and histopathological findings. Orchiectomy (removing the testicles) is the usual choice with malignant testicular tumors.