A case of an unusual lymphoma type, CD56 (+) T/NK lymphoma, presenting as a
testicular tumor is described. A 35 year old man who presented with right
testicular swelling, underwent right inguinal orchiectomy, with a presumpti
ve diagnosis of abscess or malignancy. Histopathology showed a diffuse mixe
d large and small cell lymphoma with a focal angiocentric growth pattern. I
munohistochemically CD45RO and CD56 were found to be positive in the neopla
stic cells. Insitu hybridization assay for EBV showed the presence of EBV r
elated small ribonucleic acid sequences (EBER) within the tumor cells. Desp
ite systemic chemotherapy, the patient had an aggressive clinical course wi
th two skin and left testicular recurrences in the first year of his diseas
e.