Ambiguous presentation of an intra-abdominal testicular seminoma in a 40-year-old man: a case report

BACKGROUND: Cryptorchidism is the most common congenital malformation of the male genitourinary tract. The cryptorchid testis is most often located in the inguinal canal; however, intra-abdominal locations are not rare. The risk of malignancy in an undescended testis is 10% with the highest risk in an intra-abdominal testis. CASE PRESENTATION: Here we describe a case of a 40-year-old fertile man of Fulbe origin who presented with a non-tender lower abdominal mass of 2 months’ duration. A scrotal examination revealed just one testis in the right scrotum, with the contralateral scrotum and inguinal canal being empty. An exploratory laparotomy followed by tumor excision and histopathology revealed a testicular seminoma. CONCLUSION: This case report highlights the need for routine scrotal examination in all men presenting with an abdominal mass so as to rule out the possibility of an intra-abdominal seminoma.