METACHRONOUS GERM-CELL AND LEYDIG-CELL TUMORS OF THE TESTIS - DO TESTICULAR GERM-CELL TUMORS AND LEYDIG-CELL TUMORS SHARE COMMON ETIOLOGIC FACTORS

Background. Testicular germ cell neoplasms occur bilaterally in approx imately 2-5% of patients. Bilateral testicular tumors of different his togenesis are extremely rare, and the study of such cases may offer cl ues to the pathogenesis of both tumor entities. Methods. A report of a case and review of the literature are presented. Results. A 33-year-o ld man had a right-sided testicular neoplasm consisting of teratoma, e mbryonal carcinoma, and yolk sac tumor. Retroperitoneal lymph node met astases were excised, and, subsequently, adjuvant abdominal radiation therapy was administered. The patient later received six cycles of cis platin-based chemotherapy for pulmonary relapse, When he was 40 years of age, a contralateral Leydig cell tumor (LCT) was treated by testis- sparing excision. This is the first observation of testicular germ cel l tumor (GCT) and contralateral LCT. Three cases of germ cell neoplasm and concurrent ipsilateral LCT have been reported previously. Conclus ions. The association of GCT and LCT in one patient is quite unusual b ecause both entities are rare. Sharing of common etiologic factors by both entities is a possible explanation.