Primary Testicular Lymphoma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Background and Aim: Primary testicular lymphoma (PTL) is a rare form of extranodal non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. It represents for 1% - 2% of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and mostly affects the elderly. We describe an interesting case of PTL managed by a combined multimodal approach with a review of the literature. Case Presentation: Patient aged 56 years, consulted for an increase in the volume of the right testicle without associated pain, all evolving in the context of a slight decline in general condition. Clinical examination revealed a large painless mass in the right scrotal bursa. A scrotal ultrasound showed a right intra-testicular mass. The patient had undergone inguinal orchiectomy. Pathological analysis showed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the testis. Whole-body 18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18-FDG-PET-CT) showed no suspicious hypermetabolism. Lumbar puncture did not reveal malignant cells in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The patient then received 6 cycles of chemotherapy according to the R-CHOP protocol (Rituximab, Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Vincristine, and Prednisone) and 2 cycles of intrathecal methotrexate. After chemotherapy, scrotal radiotherapy at a dose of 30 Gy was delivered. The evolution was marked by the death of the patient six months after the end of the scrotal radiotherapy following a diffuse lymph node relapse with a profound alteration of the general state. Conclusion: The treatment depends imperatively on the stage of the disease. The therapeutic approach is multimodal and combined based on orchiectomy, systemic and intrathecal treatment and scrotal radiotherapy. PTL is an aggressive malignant with a poor prognosis. Randomized trials are needed to define a better therapeutic strategy.