Histopathological Spectrum of Tumor and Tumor-like Lesions of the Paratestis in a Tertiary Care Hospital.

Objectives: Tumors and tumor-like lesions (TLL) of the paratesticular region are rare. Very few studies depicting the spectrum of lesions of this location are available in the literature. Malignant neoplasms arising in the paratesticular region represent only 7.0% of malignant tumors presenting as a scrotal mass. TLL and benign tumors are of great interest, because of their topography they can simulate a neoplasm in the paratesticular structures. We sought to study the incidence, nature, pattern, clinical, immune, and histopathological characteristics of tumors and TLL of the paratestis.

Methods: In this six-year study, records of the cases were reviewed and the histopathology slides were reassessed. Blocks were retrieved and stained immunohistochemically for relevant markers.

Results: A total of 47 cases of tumor and TLL of the paratestis were diagnosed over a six-year period. The patients ranged from one to 76 years old and most presented with a scrotal mass. Of these, seven (14.9%) were benign. Lipoma was the most common benign tumor. One case each of adenomatoid tumor, scrotal hemangioma, solitary fibrous tumor, and papillary cyst adenoma were reported. The TLL (70.2%) comprised of 17 cases of epididymal cyst, seven cases of tuberculous epididymitis, four cases of filarial epididymitis, two cases each of non-specific granulomatous epididymitis and fibromatous periorchitis, and one case of mesothelial cyst. Seven malignant tumors (14.9%) were diagnosed all of which were sarcomas. All seven were primary to the paratesticular region. The most common malignant tumor was embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. One case each of malignant mesothelioma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma, atypical lipomatous tumor/well-differentiated liposarcoma, and myxoid liposarcoma were identified.

Conclusion: Neoplasms of the paratesticular region affect patients of all ages, with potentially life-threatening sequelae. Awareness of the entire spectrum and meticulous histopathological examination and immunohistochemical studies are of prime importance in the diagnosis of the various lesions as these influence the mode of therapy and subsequent prognosis of the patient.