Malignant mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis testis. Report of a case and review of the literature.

An autopsy case of malignant mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis testis in a 60-year-old man is described. The tumor showed widespread metastasis via the lymphatics, leading to the patient's death five years after diagnosis. A review of 38 previously described cases is also presented. The most frequent presenting symptom was hydrocele. When a hydrocele in association with a paratesticular tumor is present, aspiration cytology should be performed first. In most of the cases with a fatal outcome, the tumors metastasized to the retroperitoneal lymph nodes. Once the diagnosis has been made, lymphangiography or CT scan should be done immediately.