Benign testicular tumors: a case for testis preservation?

Between June 1980 and June 1986, 345 inguinal explorations for intrascrotal space-occupying lesions were performed. In 47 patients benign testicular tumors were diagnosed (13.5%). In 32 of the 47 tumors (68%), the testis could be preserved by excision or enucleation of the tumor. In the remaining 15 patients a high semicastration was carried out: in 12 cases macroscopic examination or frozen section revealed doubtful benignity (6 Leydig cells tumors, 5 dermoid cysts and 1 epidermoid cyst), in 3 patients because of extensive involvement of the testis. In a follow-up period of 1-7 years none of the patients has shown evidence of tumor recurrence or metastasis. Changing the concept of not incising the parietal tunica of the testis and regarding clear-cut macroscopic and histological criteria of benignity on frozen section will safely lower the testicular loss rate from up to 80% to about 30% when benign tumors are encountered.