Spontaneous testicular tumor regression: case report and historical review

Spontaneous regression of a primary testicular germ-cell tumour (GCT), over time known as ‘Burned out’, ‘Shrinking Seminoma’, ‘pT0’, ‘Burnout’ or ‘Spontaneous Regression’, is an uncommon, generally metastatic phenomenon, which may present elevated tumour markers and a suspicious testicular ultrasound image. The histological study of the testicle demonstrated morphological changes of complete or partial tumour regression and found fibrous scarring and other characteristic changes of this phenomenon, which in some cases include vestiges of GCT. There are few publications on testicular GCT tumour regression and those that exist present limited data on the biology of the disease and its etiopathogenesis. This entity was recently recognised in the latest edition of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Classification of Tumours. We present our clinical, imaging, laboratory, cytohistological and management experience, as well as a historical review of the literature.