[Primary malignant lymphoma of the testis]

Among 715 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma referred to this oncology center between 1973-1989, there were 7 (0.9%) with primary lymphoma of the testis. The mean age was 55 (range 23-78). The presenting symptom in all the 7 was testicular mass or swelling. 6 of them underwent inguinal orchiectomy and 1 had a testicular biopsy. The pathological subtype of the lymphoma in all 7 was the diffuse large cell type. The disease stage was IE in 3, IIE in 3 and IVE in 1. Only 1 had bilateral testicular involvement. 6 were treated primarily with various combinations of chemotherapy and 1 by radiotherapy. 3 developed recurrent disease (2 treated primarily with chemotherapy and 1 by radiotherapy) and died 14, 19 and 27 months, respectively, after diagnosis. 3 are alive with no evidence of recurrent lymphoma. Follow-up in an additional patient has been too short for evaluation. Primary testicular lymphoma is a relatively rare form of extranodal lymphoma. It has a tendency to early systemic progression and is potentially curable by aggressive combination chemotherapy.