Optimal surveillance strategy of localised testicular non-germ cell sex-cord stromal tumours

Abstract

Testicular sex cord stromal tumours (SCSTs) arise from the supporting tissues of the testis. The most common clinical presentation is with a testicular mass, which most often causes swelling and/or discomfort or one of the variants of the SCSTs can be rarely present as oversecretion of testosterone or oestrogen. Eighty to ninety percent of the SCSTs are benign but their behaviour and prognosis is difficult to predict, and they cannot be differentiated from germ-cell tumours clinically or radiologically. It is very important to find features in post-orchidectomy specimens, which are associated with a malignant clinical behaviour; Kim et al. (Am J Surg Pathol 9(3):177–92, 1985) had defined the malignancy criteria. The purpose of this article is to review case series, prognostic factors, and summarise information about the site and timing of relapse to help draft recommendations for follow-up guidelines in SCSTs. Data from the literature are conflicting in terms of risk factors and optimal follow-up schedules. Pub Med was searched for keywords such as testicular SCSTs follow-up. Case studies done between 1998 and 2011 involving 146 patients were included in this review to recommend follow-up guideline for stage 1 SCSTs on the basis of risk factors.