Giant testicular germ‐cell tumours—An analysis of relative incidence and clinical features based on a clinical case series and a survey of the literature

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Main Authors: Markus Angerer, Alexander C. Harms, Christian Wülfing, Klaus‐Peter Dieckmann
Format: Artículo Open Access
Published: Wiley 2026
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author Markus Angerer
Alexander C. Harms
Christian Wülfing
Klaus‐Peter Dieckmann
author_facet Markus Angerer
Alexander C. Harms
Christian Wülfing
Klaus‐Peter Dieckmann
Markus Angerer
Alexander C. Harms
Christian Wülfing
Klaus‐Peter Dieckmann
collection Wiley Open Access
contents Giant testicular germ‐cell tumours—An analysis of relative incidence and clinical features based on a clinical case series and a survey of the literature Markus Angerer Alexander C. Harms Christian Wülfing Klaus‐Peter Dieckmann BJUI Compass Abstract Objectives This work aimed to document four new cases with giant testicular germ cell tumour (GCT) and to evaluate their relative incidence and clinical characteristics based on a literature survey. Despite the well‐established trend over time towards declining tumour sizes in testicular GCTs, giant testicular tumours (>15 cm in diameter) are still reported in present times. Patients, Methods GCT patients treated during 2010–2025 were retrospectively evaluated with tabulating the following data: size of primary tumour (mm), age (years), histology, side and clinical stage (CS). The following parameters were calculated: relative frequency of giant GCTs; median tumour size in all GCTs and in various subgroups. A literature survey was conducted to identify previously published giant testicular GCTs followed by a descriptive evaluation of those cases. Results Four (0.5%) giant GCTs were identified among 860 GCT patients, two seminomas and two nonseminomas, all having CS3 disease, two of whom were cured. The median tumour size was 32 mm in all GCTs, and 30 mm and 35 mm in seminomas ( n  = 541) and nonseminomas ( n  = 319), respectively. Median tumour size was significantly smaller in CS1 cases than in those with CS > 1 (32 mm vs. 38 mm). Of the 40 cases identified with the literature survey, 24 were nonseminomas, 62% were left‐sided, median age was 36 years, and 80% were cured. Diagnostic delay is the most frequent cause of excessive tumour growth. Conclusions Giant testicular tumours are observed in 0.5% of all GCT patients while the median tumour size of 32 mm observed herein is consistent with current reports. In most cases of giant GCT, personal misapprehension of the swelling, lack of knowledge or shame appears to be the key element causing diagnostic delay and consequently, extraordinary tumour growth. Information campaigns including individuals from socioeconomically underprivileged groups could help to increase men's awareness of genital diseases. 10.1002/bco2.70118 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
doi_str_mv 10.1002/bco2.70118
format Artículo Open Access
id wiley_oa_10_1002_bco2_70118
institution Wiley Open Access
license_str_mv http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
publishDate 2026
publisher Wiley
record_format wiley_oa
spellingShingle Giant testicular germ‐cell tumours—An analysis of relative incidence and clinical features based on a clinical case series and a survey of the literature
Markus Angerer
Alexander C. Harms
Christian Wülfing
Klaus‐Peter Dieckmann
BJUI Compass
Giant testicular germ‐cell tumours—An analysis of relative incidence and clinical features based on a clinical case series and a survey of the literature Markus Angerer Alexander C. Harms Christian Wülfing Klaus‐Peter Dieckmann BJUI Compass Abstract Objectives This work aimed to document four new cases with giant testicular germ cell tumour (GCT) and to evaluate their relative incidence and clinical characteristics based on a literature survey. Despite the well‐established trend over time towards declining tumour sizes in testicular GCTs, giant testicular tumours (>15 cm in diameter) are still reported in present times. Patients, Methods GCT patients treated during 2010–2025 were retrospectively evaluated with tabulating the following data: size of primary tumour (mm), age (years), histology, side and clinical stage (CS). The following parameters were calculated: relative frequency of giant GCTs; median tumour size in all GCTs and in various subgroups. A literature survey was conducted to identify previously published giant testicular GCTs followed by a descriptive evaluation of those cases. Results Four (0.5%) giant GCTs were identified among 860 GCT patients, two seminomas and two nonseminomas, all having CS3 disease, two of whom were cured. The median tumour size was 32 mm in all GCTs, and 30 mm and 35 mm in seminomas ( n  = 541) and nonseminomas ( n  = 319), respectively. Median tumour size was significantly smaller in CS1 cases than in those with CS > 1 (32 mm vs. 38 mm). Of the 40 cases identified with the literature survey, 24 were nonseminomas, 62% were left‐sided, median age was 36 years, and 80% were cured. Diagnostic delay is the most frequent cause of excessive tumour growth. Conclusions Giant testicular tumours are observed in 0.5% of all GCT patients while the median tumour size of 32 mm observed herein is consistent with current reports. In most cases of giant GCT, personal misapprehension of the swelling, lack of knowledge or shame appears to be the key element causing diagnostic delay and consequently, extraordinary tumour growth. Information campaigns including individuals from socioeconomically underprivileged groups could help to increase men's awareness of genital diseases. 10.1002/bco2.70118 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
title Giant testicular germ‐cell tumours—An analysis of relative incidence and clinical features based on a clinical case series and a survey of the literature
topic BJUI Compass
url https://bjui-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/bco2.70118