Primary Testicular Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: A Retrospective Single Centre Experience of 26 Cases with Long Follow Up

Abstract

Introduction: Primary testicular lymphoma is a rare and aggressive malignancy representing 1% to 2% of all non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) and accounts for approximately 5% of all testicular tumors. The aim of this study was to analyse clinical characteristics, therapy and survival outcomes of patients with primary testicular lymphoma diagnosed at our hospital from 1998 to 2017, and to compare differences in survival based on Ann Arbor Stages. Methods: A retrospective patient chart review was done to analyse the patient clinical characteristics, therapy and survival outcomes. Survival was calculated using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Results: Twenty-six patients were included; the mean age was 85±6.7 years. All patients presented with testicular tumor. Of the 26 patients, 17 patients were stage I, one stage III, and 8 stage IV. Orchiectomy was performed in all patients. 8 patients received no further treatment. Of the remaining 18 patients, overall, 18 received systemic chemotherapy and 5 radiation therapy. Six patients received intrathecal chemotherapy prophylaxis. Seventeen patients achieved complete remission. Four patients achieved partial remission; one patient had no response. Eleven patients died. Median survival was 144 months and was statistically significantly different between early versus advanced stage (stage I/II: 144 months; stage III-IV: 73 months, p=0.006). Conclusion: Primary testicular lymphomas are a rare and aggressive malignancy of extranodal lymphomas. Survival was different in early stages I/II versus advanced stages III- IV. Randomized, multi-center prospective studies could help to establish better prognostic and multi-modal therapy strategies.