Primary testicular and intraocular lymphomas: two case reports and a review of the literature

Surv Ophthalmol. 2006 Jan-Feb;51(1):41-50. doi: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2005.11.002.

Abstract

Testicular lymphoma is a rare neoplasm of the testis that is most commonly seen in older patients. It metastasizes preferentially to extranodal sites, including the skin, central nervous system, Waldeyer ring, contralateral testis, and lung. Two case reports of patients with a history of testicular lymphoma who developed involvement of the vitreous and retina are presented. These are interesting cases as the testis, central nervous system, and eye are all immune privileged organs, which may account for occurrence of disease in these sites. Histopathologic examination of diagnostic vitrectomy specimens from both cases showed atypical lymphoid cells with immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) gene rearrangements, consistent with the diagnosis of intraocular B-cell lymphoma. The results of a literature review of all reports of ocular involvement with testicular lymphoma are discussed. Patients with testicular lymphoma are at risk for relapse, particularly in the central nervous system. Clinicians should be suspicious for intraocular lymphoma in patients with a history of testicular lymphoma who present with vitritis or retinal lesions.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Eye Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Eye Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Eye Neoplasms / surgery
  • Fluorescein Angiography
  • Fundus Oculi
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / drug therapy
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / pathology*
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / surgery
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retinal Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Retinal Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Retinal Neoplasms / surgery
  • Testicular Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Testicular Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Vitrectomy
  • Vitreous Body / pathology*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents