[A patient with bilateral testicular cancer].

BACKGROUND

In men aged 15-34 testicular cancer is the most commonly occurring malignancy. After treatment, the average 5-year survival rate is 85%. Recurring symptoms or raised tumour markers may indicate the presence of a second primary contralateral testicular tumour.

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 34-year-old man presented with pain in his left testicle. Eight years previously he had been diagnosed with cancer of his right testicle which was treated successfully by orchidectomy and two cycles of chemotherapy. Further investigations revealed raised tumour markers. The patient proved to have a contralateral testis carcinoma with 2 lung metastases.

CONCLUSION

1-3% of patients with testicular cancer develop metachronous (i.e. not concurrent) contralateral testicular cancer. Follow-up and self-examination are very important for early diagnosis of a metachronous contralateral malignancy.