Seminoma: diagnosis at 55 years of age

Abstract

It is widely accepted that males with cryptorchidism, or undescended testes, are at an increased risk of developing testicular cancer, specifically germ cell tumors. Seminomas are the most common type of germ cell tumors and typically affect males between the ages of 30 and 45. They commonly present as a painless testicular mass. This case report describes the unexpected finding of a malignant seminoma in a 55-year-old male who presented with a deep vein thrombosis of the leg and an incidental abdominal mass. Osteopathic medicine emphasizes helping each person achieve a high level of wellness by focusing on health promotion and disease prevention. Because of its atypical presentation, this case report helps us refresh our medical knowledge of the diagnosis and management of seminomas and provides an example of the importance of patient education in disease prevention.