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Introduction

Testicular neuroendocrine tumors are very rare accounting for 0.23% of all testicular neoplasms [1]. They most commonly have their origin within the testis either in pure form or in association with a germ cell tumor, but could also be metastases from the gastrointestinal tract or lungs [2]. Testicular carcinoids most often present as a painless testicular mass or enlargement; only a few cases present with carcinoid syndrome [1,3]. Like carcinoid tumors in other sites, they could have typical or atypical histopathology, which can predict their clinical behaviour [3]. We present the first case of testicular carcinoid tumor in a Nigerian male who had radical orchiectomy on account of a painful left testicular mass. Histology showed spindle cell type carcinoid tumor which was confirmed by immunohistochemistry.  

Case Report

A 35 year old man presented to the outpatient clinic of a private hospital with a one month history of pain in the left testis. There was no prior history of trauma. On physical examination, a tender left testicular mass was felt. Ultrasonography of the testes revealed an enlarged left testicle that measured 53x30 mm, with a homogenous hypoechoic vascular mass located in its superior pole. The mass measured 38x25 mm. Spectral broadening was noted on pulse Doppler ultrasonography. The right testis was unremarkable. A presumptive diagnosis of germ cell tumor probably a seminoma was made and total left orchiectomy was performed.

    Gross examination of the testicular specimen revealed a well circumscribed mass measuring 4x2.5x2 cm with a rim of compressed normal testicular tissue [Fig.1a]. Histopathologic assessment revealed a thinly encapsulated lesion composed of sheets of closely packed spindle cells with scant dense fibrocollagenous tissue stroma. The lesional cells were markedly uniform with ‘salt and pepper’ chromatin pattern and moderate amount of pale cytoplasm [Fig.1b]. Mitoses were scanty (1 per 10 high power fields) and there was no necrosis. The adjacent seminiferous tubules displayed spermatogenesis with no evidence of intatubular germ cell neoplasm. A preliminary diagnosis of spindle cell neoplasm probably malignant was entertained.

    Immunohistochemistry showed complete negativity for CD 117 and PLAP, thus excluding a germ cell tumor.  CD45 marked only a very small population of lymphocytes. There was only a weak patchy expression of inhibin which with the absence of longitudinal nuclear grooves and Call-Exner bodies ruled out an adult granulosa cell tumor. A possibility of Sertoli cell tumor was entertained (including its sarcomatoid form), however the absence of any structures resembling tubules and complete negativity with CD99 excluded this. The cells were also negative for TTF-1, calcitonin and Melan A. Though the cells were negative for chromogranin A and synaptophysin, they showed strong uniform expression for CD56 [Fig.1c] and a moderate patchy expression of NSE and S100. They also showed positivity for broad spectrum cytokeratins (AE 1/3) in a para-nuclear dot-like fashion [Fig.1d]. These immunohistochemical findings when taken together with the morphological characteristics were considered to be strongly indicative of a spindle cell type carcinoid tumor/well differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma.  The presence of a fibrous capsule indicates that the tumor was most likely a primary, but the patient was advised to undergo more investigations to exclude a primary source elsewhere. The patient has undergone an abdominopelvic CT scan which revealed no tumor deposits in the gastrointestinal tract, liver or other intra-abdominal organs. He is yet to undergo investigations to exclude a primary from the lungs.


Discussion

Neuroendocrine tumors of the testis are very rare, accounting for less than 1% of testicular neoplasms [2]. As a result, limited studies have been published and none as yet has been documented in the Nigerian population. They consist of three groups of tumors: primary testicular carcinoid, carcinoid differentiation within a germ cell tumor (usually a mature cystic teratoma) and metastatic carcinoid from extra-testicular sources, most commonly the gastrointestinal tract [1,2]. Primary testicular carcinoid, as was seen in the index patient, is the commonest of these three categories. Stroosma et al. in their review of 62 cases, reported 44 (71%) to be primary, 6 (9.7%) to be metastases from other locations and 12 (19.4%) to arise within a teratoma [4]. In another study of 10 cases, all were found to be of testicular origin [5]. There was no teratomatous component in the index case presented. Carcinoids have also been reported to occur in cryptorchid testes as well as in a case with ovotestis [6-8]. Due to lack of morphologic differences between primary and metastatic carcinoids, it is necessary to exclude the presence of primary disease elsewhere before making a diagnosis of primary testicular carcinoid by employing the use of barium contrast studies, computerized tomography, somatostatin receptor scintigraphy etc [1,2].

    Testicular carcinoids have been reported to occur in a wide age group ranging from 10 to 83 years [2]. The mean age group however is 40-60 years [9]. Primary testicular carcinoids were once thought to arise from Argentaffin cells within the gonad, but this notion has been discarded due to the absence of these cells in the testis [10]. Some workers have proposed the origin of primary testicular carcinoids from Leydig cells, however Abbosh et al. showed identical genetic aberrations within primary testicular carcinoids and coexisting mature teratoma [11,12]. Primary testicular carcinoid tumors are now thought to be of germ cell origin, arising either as a monodermal germ cell tumor or existing as the remaining component of a burnt out teratoma [2].

    Testicular carcinoid presents most commonly as a painless unilateral mass/swelling of the testis [1]. It affects the left testis more commonly than the right, as was the case in the index patient. There can however be bilateral testicular involvement or associated pain [13,14]. One unusual case was reported with a mass in one testis and pain in the contralateral testis [15]. The index case presented with a painful left testicular mass. Few patients are asymptomatic, and fewer still present with carcinoid syndrome. In one study, 62.5% of cases presented as a mass, 25% were discovered incidentally while 8.3% presented with carcinoid syndrome [3]. In the study conducted by Reyes et al. 6 of 10 patients presented with a painless mass, while the rest presented with tender swelling. There was no asymptomatic case or any that presented with carcinoid syndrome [5]. In another study of 7 cases, all presented with painless testicular masses and none had carcinoid syndrome [9]. Carcinoid syndrome when present is due to bioactive substances secreted into the blood stream resulting in diarrhea, skin flushes, asthma and palpitations [2,16].

    Carcinoids though mostly benign in behavior have a malignant potential, and cases of metastases have been documented. Cases can therefore be staged according to the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) criteria [5]. Metastases however are rare in primary testicular carcinoids. Stroosma reported metastases in 15.9% of cases of primary testicular lesions [4]. Wang et al. reported metastases in none of 20 typical primary testicular cases and in 1 of 4 cases with atypical morphology [3]. Documented sites of metastases include the para-aortic lymph nodes, lungs, vertebrae, retroperitoneum, skin and skeletal muscle [17-20].

    Grossly, testicular carcinoids have been reported to measure between 1 and 9.5 cm with a mean size of 4.6 cm. They are solid and lobulated, yellow to dark-tan and may have calcifications [20]. Histologically, testicular carcinoids show a predominance of trabecular and insular architecture; and large tumors may show necrosis [20]. In grade 1 tumors (G1), cells are monomorphic with round nuclei, finely dispersed chromatin, acidophilic finely granular cytoplasm, low mitotic activity (<2/10 high power fields) and no necrosis [21,22]. Higher grades feature more mitoses, necrosis, and cellular pleomorphism. Grading of testicular carcinoid correlates well with the clinical outcome and metastases are seen more commonly in atypical cases [22]. Histologic assessment of our case, here presented, revealed no atypical features.

    Testicular carcinoids show positive immunostaining for neuroendocrine markers like chromogranin, synaptophysin, NSE and cytokeratins (CK) [9, 23]. However they are not always positive for these markers [24,25]. Carcinoids also stain strongly positive for CD 56, which was so for our case presented [26]. Though carcinoids are presumed to be of germ cell origin, they do not show significant numerical abnormalities of the X chromosome as in other testicular germ cell tumors [27]. Cytogenetic abnormalities reported in testicular carcinoids include aneuploidy, tetraploidy, isochromosome 12 and 12p over-expression [12,28].

    Treatment of localized testicular carcinoid is primarily surgical, either by focal excision or radical orchiectomy [3]. Chemotherapy and adjuvant radiotherapy have been employed in the treatment of metastatic cases [3]. Most carcinoids are benign with favourable prognosis. However, long-term prognosis is dependent on histologic grade. Wang et al. in their study showed that after a mean follow up of 52.7 months, all cases with typical histology were alive without recurrence or metastases, while 25% of those with atypical histology showed metastases [3]. Increasing size, association with teratoma and metastases are also poor prognostic factors. Metastases have been reported to occur as long as 6 years after orchiectomy, indicating the need for long term follow up with urinary 5-hyddroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) or serum chromogranin A [29].

Conclusion

Testicular carcinoids are very rare and this is the first reported case in a Nigerian patient. The presence of primary disease elsewhere must always be excluded before making a diagnosis of primary testicular carcinoid. Long-term follow up is essential for detecting recurrence or metastatic disease.

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to acknowledge Mr Adeteye, Olawale Victor for taking the photographs of the specimen.

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