Osteolytic bone destruction resulting from relapse of a testicular tumour 23 years after inguinal orchiectomy and adjuvant chemotherapy: a case report

INTRODUCTION: Late relapse of a testicular germ cell tumour is an uncommon occurrence. We report a case of osteolytic bone metastasis appearing 23 years after the initial treatment of a metastatic testicular mixed tumour (choriocarcinoma and embryonal carcinoma). This is one of the longest periods of recurrence reported for testicular germ cell tumours. CASE PRESENTATION: A 52-year-old Caucasian man who underwent a right inguinal orchiectomy due to testicular tumour in 1984 presented to our outpatient clinic in a generally bad condition of health and with severe pain of his right hip joint and os ischii caused by osteolytic metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: This case emphasizes the need for a life-long follow-up of patients with primary metastatic testicular cancer.