[Growing teratoma syndrome]

[Management of testicular teratoma: update by the Oncology Committee of the French Urology Association, section of External Genital Organs (CCAFU-OGE)]

INTRODUCTION

The objective of this article was to focus on the pathological, clinical and therapeutic aspects of the different forms of testicular teratoma in adults.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The multidisciplinary working group has conducted a literature search on Pubmed with keywords: adult teratoma; malignant transformation; growing teratoma; chemotherapy; surgery with focus on the different forms of adult testicular teratoma.

RESULTS

Teratomas of the adults are malignant and subdivided into localized and metastatic forms that may be distinguished under exclusive teratoma form, growing teratoma or teratoma with malignant transformation. The management is based on an enlarged surgical excision (testis and metastasis) with, in metastatic forms, a chemotherapy adjusted with histology. Extended follow-up beyond 10 years is necessary because of the risk of late relapse.

CONCLUSIONS

Testicular teratoma is a rare tumor, which is considered malignant with a potential of metastasis. The treatment is based mainly on surgical management.

["Growing teratoma syndrome": an unrecognized complication of treated germ cell tumors of the testis]

"Growing teratoma syndrome" is a rare and often unrecognized complication of nonseminomatous germ cell tumors of the testis. It is defined by enlarging residual masses, frequently retroperitonal, composed exclusively by teratoma, during the course of chemotherapy. Complications of this syndrome are due to masses compression. Malignant transformation is also possible. "Growing teratoma syndrome" has a good prognosis when cured by complete surgical excision of the tumoral masses. We report the case of a "growing teratoma syndrome" presenting as a retroperitoneal mass occurring in a patient previously treated by orchiectomy and chemotherapy for a nonseminomatous mixed germ cell tumors of the testis without teratomatous component.