Clinicopathologic Characteristics and Clinical Outcomes of Patients with Testicular Mesothelioma

Prashasti Agrawal1, Fady Baky2, Judy Sarungbam3

  • 1Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA.

PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Testicular mesothelioma (TM) is rare, with surgery as standard care. This study analyzed 36 patients, revealing unique genomic features and a lower frequency of BAP1 alterations compared to other mesotheliomas.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Genitourinary Pathology
  • Rare Cancers

Background:

  • Testicular mesothelioma (TM) is an exceptionally rare malignancy, accounting for less than 5% of all mesothelioma cases.
  • Current treatment paradigms primarily rely on surgical intervention, with the efficacy of systemic therapies remaining largely undefined.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the clinicopathologic and genomic features of testicular mesothelioma (TM).
  • To evaluate treatment outcomes and survival in patients with TM.
  • To compare the genomic landscape of TM with other mesothelioma subtypes.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of 36 pathologically confirmed testicular mesothelioma cases treated at a single institution from 1996 to 2023.
  • Analysis of clinicopathologic data, treatment modalities (surgery, systemic therapy, radiation), and clinical outcomes.
  • Next-generation sequencing (NGS) using MSK-IMPACT on 10 tumor samples to identify somatic alterations.

Main Results:

  • The median age at diagnosis was 64 years, with epithelioid histology being the most common (61%).
  • 28% of patients presented with metastatic disease, and 36% developed metastases during follow-up.
  • Common genetic alterations included CDKN2A/B (50%), NF2 (40%), and BAP1 (20%), with a notably lower frequency of BAP1 alterations compared to other mesotheliomas.
  • Median overall survival was 4.5 years.

Conclusions:

  • This study represents the largest single-institution series and genomic dataset for testicular mesothelioma (TM).
  • TM exhibits distinct clinicopathologic and genomic profiles, including a lower incidence of BAP1 alterations.
  • Further research is warranted to optimize treatment strategies, including the role of systemic therapy, for this rare malignancy.