Diagnostic features of pediatric testicular yolk sac tumors: a 13-year retrospective analysis

• Published in: World journal of surgical oncology 2024-12, Vol.22 (1), p.328-7, Article 328
• Main Authors: Zheng, Xiaoli, Zhang, Siqi, Chen, Taiya, Zhang, Huan, Li, Shoulin, Zeng, Hongwu, Ye, Wenhong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; alpha-Fetoproteins - analysis; alpha-Fetoproteins - metabolism; Biomarkers, Tumor - analysis; Biomarkers, Tumor - blood; Child; Child, Preschool; Diagnosis; Endodermal Sinus Tumor - blood; Endodermal Sinus Tumor - diagnosis; Endodermal Sinus Tumor - diagnostic imaging; Endodermal Sinus Tumor - pathology; Endodermal Sinus Tumor - surgery; Follow-Up Studies; Germ cell tumors; Health aspects; Humans; Infant; Magnetic resonance imaging; Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods; Male; Pediatric research; Pediatrics; Prognosis; Retrospective Studies; ROC Curve; Testicular Neoplasms - blood; Testicular Neoplasms - diagnosis; Testicular Neoplasms - pathology; Testicular Neoplasms - surgery; Testicular tumor; Tumors in children; Yolk sac; Yolk sac tumor
• ISSN: 1477-7819; 1477-7819
• DOI: 10.1186/s12957-024-03611-2

Testicular yolk sac tumor (YST) is a rare neoplasm with limited practical guidance for preoperative diagnostic assessment. This study aims to conduct a retrospective analysis of the value of clinical profiles and MRI parameters in accurately diagnosing pediatric testicular YST while exploring characteristic indicators for these patients. This retrospective study analyzed eighty patients with a testicular mass who underwent surgical treatment and preoperative MRI. Clinical characters (age, preoperative serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels), and radiology features were recorded and compared. Subsequently, patients were categorized into YST and non-YST groups based on histology. Comparative statistical analyses were then used to compare factors between the two groups. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was conducted to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the indicators for pediatric testicular YST. Forty patients (50%) were diagnosed with YST. In comparison to the non-YST group, patients with testicular YST were younger and had larger tumor sizes, accompanied by significantly elevated AFP levels. On MRI, most YST cases (n = 38) exhibited predominantly solid lesions, whereas non-YST tumors were more likely to contain cystic components. The bright dot sign and thickened spermatic cord might also be helpful in differentiating YST (p