[Primary epididymal tumors].

OBJECTIVE

To improve the diagnosis of primary epididymal tumors.

METHOD: In 23 primary epididymal tumors (22 benign and 1 malignant), 14 were adenomatoid tumors, 6 were leiomyomas, 1 was multiple fibrous pseudomonas and 1 was sclerosing hemangioma. Epididymal adenocarcinoma was seen in a 57-year-old man.

RESULT: Epididymal tumors might be easily misdiagnosed as epididymal tuberculosis, chronic epididymis and spermatocele. Apart from certain benign clinical characteristics, benign epididymal tumors could be diagnosed by B-ultrasonography and aspiration biopsy. Most malignant tumors of epididymis presented as rapidly growing scrotal masses and cured by the removal of tumors or the whole epididymis of the same side. 19 of 22 cases were free from recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Malignant epididymal tumors should be treated as malignant tumors of testis and their prognosis is extremely poor.