Work

Burned-out testicular tumor with metastatic choriocarcinoma: a case report

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Burned-out testicular tumors represent regressed primary germ cell tumors (GCTs) in which only metastatic deposits remain histologically detectable, the primary lesion having undergone spontaneous involution. Mixed germ cell tumors containing choriocarcinoma are biologically aggressive, frequently presenting with early hematogenous spread and elevated beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) levels. We report the case of a young man presenting with pulmonary and nodal metastases arising from a burned-out testicular mixed germ cell tumor with choriocarcinoma and embryonal carcinoma components, and we review the diagnostic, pathological, and therapeutic aspects of this entity based on the available literature. The case illustrates the diagnostic pitfall posed by a clinically inconspicuous primary tumor in a patient presenting with extensive metastatic germ cell disease, and it underscores the value of integrating tumor markers, imaging, and immunohistochemistry to reach the correct diagnosis.

Source: Current Problems in Cancer Case Reports

DOI: 10.1016/j.cpccr.2026.100453