TESTICULAR-CARCINOMA METASTATIC TO THE NECK

Purpose: To show that a supraclavicular neck mass may be indicative of metastatic testicular carcinoma and to offer further insight into the treatment of residual neck disease. Method: We report six cases of te sticular carcinoma metastatic to the neck. All were initially treated with radiation, chemotherapy, or a combination of both depending on hi stological type. Results: Neck masses persisted despite primary therap y. Three patients underwent subsequent modified neck dissection and re mained free of disease; three others received nonsurgical forms of adj uvant therapy and ultimately died of their cancer. Conclusion: Metasta tic testicular carcinoma may manifest as a supraclavicular neck mass a nd must therefore be considered in the differential diagnosis of a mas s in this region. Surgical resection is indicated in the management of neck masses that persist after cytoreductive chemotherapy to remove r esidual foci of disease and potential source of spread. Copyright (C) 1998 by W.B. Saunders Company.