title: Giant malignant mesenchymoma of the spermatic cord with bidirectional differentiation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Spermatic cord neoplasms are a rare tumor entity and, moreover, of benign behavior. Malignant tumors of the spermatic cord are mostly of mesenchymal origin. We present the unusual case of a giant malignant mesenchymoma of the spermatic cord with bidirectional differentiation into a liposarcoma and a leiomyosarcoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 84-year-old male patient presented with a scrotal mass on the left side which was observed growing since 1 year and misdiagnosed as scrotal hernia or testicular hydrocele. Ultrasound and computed tomography demonstrated a solid tumor suggesting a spermatic cord tumor. The patient underwent hemiscrotectomy, and the histological examination of the 2,500-gram specimen revealed a malignant mesenchymoma originating from the spermatic cord with two distinct histopathological compartments of liposarcoma and leiomyosarcoma. Because an adjuvant therapy protocol is of questionable effect and because of the patient's age no further therapy was applied. The patient was closely followed and is now, 5 years after surgery, still free of disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Even in older patients, scrotal masses should be considered malignant tumors as long as no benign diagnosis has been proven. Although malignant mesenchymomas are rare tumors with poor prognosis, in selected cases even large tumor masses, as presented, can be cured by surgery.
authors.affiliation: Urologische Klinik und Poliklinik, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München. R.Paul@Irz.tu-muenchen.de
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Paul
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Leyh
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hillemanns
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Höfler
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hartung
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005834:Genital Neoplasms, Male / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008637:Mesenchymoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013085:Spermatic Cord / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery