Metastatic neuroblastoma and testicular involvement

Neuroblastoma metastatic to the testes is thought to be an extremely rare event and is therefore not routinely considered in the evaluation of neuroblastoma patients. A review of metastatic sites in a series of neuroblastoma patients, however, revealed 11 cases with testicular involvement. Analysis of these cases suggests that the phenomenon may not be uncommon in a subset of neuroblastoma patients, namely, male patients with infra-diaphragmatic primaries and advanced-stage disease. Because the testes constitute a sanctuary site for tumor cells, occult testicular involvement may play a role in the relapse of patients judged to be in complete remission. Accordingly, it is proposed that in the above group of patients special diagnostic attention should be directed at the scrotal contents and, if testicular involvement is detected, orchiectomy or local irradiation should be considered.