Metastatic Pattern of Spread of Testicular Cancer
Introduction:
There are a number of histologic types of testicular germ cell tumors, usually divided into seminomas and non-seminomatous germ cell tumors. Testicular cancer has the highest propensity for metastatic spread among all cancers.
Prevalence: Rare Metastasis Frequency: Common
References:
AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1985 Dec;145(6):1165-71. PMID: 2998169
UpToDate
Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2008 Jun;132(6):931-9. PMID: 18517275
Primary Tumor:
Sorry, no description has been written for the primary tumor.
Known Metastatic Locations:
| Site | Frequency | Characteristics | Comments |
| Local Lymph Nodes | Common | para-aortic chains |
|
| Distant Lymph Nodes | Common | mediastinum, supraclavicular regions |
|
| Lung Parenchyma | Common | Nodule | |
| Liver | Common | ||
| Brain | Uncommon | involvement occurs late |
|
| Bone | Rare | Lytic | involvement occurs late |
| Kidney | Very Rare | Solid, Cystic | |
| Adrenal Glands | Very Rare | ||
| Inferior Vena Cava | Very Rare | ||
| Muscle | Very Rare | ||
| Spleen | Very Rare | ||
| Pericardium | Very Rare | ||
| Peritoneum | Very Rare | ||
| Heart | Very Rare | ||
| Omentum | Very Rare | ||
| Pancreas | Very Rare | ||
| Pleura | Very Rare | ||
| Small Intestine | Very Rare |