Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the testis

Epidemiology

Primary lymphomas account for 3-5% of testicular tumours. They occur in the elderly, and in younger HIV-positive patients. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma accounts for 70% of primary testicular lymphomas.

Clinical features

Up to 18% of cases are bilateral at presentation.

Histopathology

The histology is as for that of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma elsewhere.

Immunohistochemistry

	CD10	1/181
	CD20	18/181
	CD45	18/181
	bcl-2	14/181
	bcl-6	4/181
	MUM-1	16/181
	Ki-67 %	70% to 95%1

Most cases are of non-germinal centre B-cell type (bcl-6 -ve, CD10 -ve, MUM-1 +ve).

Prognosis

Testicular diffuse large B-cell lymphomas are aggressive tumours, with a median survival of 96 months. Only 23% of cases are in remission at ten years. Recurrences have a tendency to involve Waldeyer's ring and the central nervous system.

References

1 Al-Abbadi MA, Hattab EM, Tarawneh MS, et al. Primary testicular diffuse large B-cell lymphoma belongs to the nongerminal center B-cell-like subgroup: A study of 18 cases. Mod Pathol 2006; 19:1521-7

This page last revised 1.1.2007.