Carcinoid tumors of the testis

The clinical and pathologic findings in 16 cases of carcinoid tumor of the testis are presented: 10 tumors were primary in the testis, 2 were teratomas, 2 were in the spermatic cord and 2 were metastatic. Most of these tumors occurred in middle-aged patients and the symptoms were those of testicular tumor in general, that is swelling, pain and tenderness. In none of the primary case was there evidence of carcinoid syndrome and no determination of serotonin was made before orchiectomy. Followup in 12 cases was from 4 months to 16 years postoperatively. Three patients died 2 to 4 years after orchiectomy: 1 with generalized metastasis and 2 with intercurrent diseases. Two patients were lost to followup and the remaining patients are well. Although ovarian carcinoids usually occur in teratoma and do not metastasize 1 of the primary cases produced generalized metastasis.