Malignant sertoli cell tumor of the testis

Sertoli cell tumors are among the most common canine testicular tumors. They may be associated with hyperestrogenism and they sometimes produce distant metastases. Human testicular supporting tissue tumors are rare. There are only a few publications of human testicular Sertoli cell tumors and only occasional distant metastases have been reported. An 8-year-old boy had had a testicular mass for 3 years. Retroperitoneal lymph nodes were enlarged. A left inguinal orchiectomy was followed by- bilateral retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy. The primary tumor and the metastases were histologically similar to canine testicular Sertoli cell tumor. The patient is free of disease 2 years after initial therapy. The presence of metastases from a tumor which is most often considered benign indicates the importance of thorough preoperative studies and possible routine retroperitoneal exploration and lymphadenectomy.