Sertoli cell tumor of the testis in children - Reevaluation of a rarely encountered tumor

Testis tumors are uncommon in childhood, and they differ from adult tumors in terms of histology and frequency Sertoli cell tumors appear in children before 1 year of age. They are more frequently benign, but because of the absence of specific signs of malignancy, treatment consists of radical orchiectomy, sometimes followed by radiotherapy or chemotherapy based on histologic analysis. Malignancy is confirmed by the presence of metastasis or many mitosis and anaplastic cells. Children must be followed for several years to be sure of the absence of relapse or progression. In the authors' hospital, of 13 testis tumors diagnosed since 1996, only 2 were Sertoli cell tumors. It would be helpful to have an algorithm for the management of testis tumors, outlining how to make the diagnosis of malignancy and which treatment and follow-up to pursue.