ABSTRACT

Burned-out tumors of the testis are defined as spontaneous total or partial regression of a testicular germ cell tumor without any treatment. They usually present at the metastatic stage. Burned-out testicular tumors are rare entities and it was aimed to emphasize their clinical, radiological and pathological features in this review. Retroperitoneal lymph nodes are the most common metastatic sites of these tumors. Physical examination of testicles shows no palpable mass. Scrotal ultrasonography may show hypoechoic lesions and/or calcifications. Orchiectomy materials mostly display residual tumor and/or fibrous scar. Hematoxyphilic bodies, microliths, tubular atrophy and intratubular germ cell neoplasia in a testis having only a fibrous scar indicate regression of primary testicular tumor. Metastatic testicular germ cell tumors showing regression in the primary site, so-called burned-out tumors, should be kept in mind although they are rare. Retroperitoneal germ cell tumors should always be considered as burned-out testicular neoplasm until proven otherwise. Orchiectomy should be certainly performed for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Macroscopic evaluation of orchiectomy materials via having many section samples is important in the detection of small foci of regressed tumors.