Malignant mesothelioma of the spermatic cord

Abstract

Primary tumors arising from the spermatic cord are very rare. Mesothelioma derives from the mesothelial cells lining the serous membrane, such as the pleura, peritoneum, and tunica vaginalis of testis. Paratesticular malignant mesothelioma (MM), which usually presents as a hydrocele or intrascrotal mass, accounts for 0.3% to 1.4% of MMs. MMs of the spermatic cord account for less than 10% of paratesticular MMs. We report a case of MM of the spermatic cord in a 65-year-old man who primarily presented to the hospital with a left inguinal mass. Following the diagnosis after surgery, he was found to have a contralateral right inguinal mass and died in 6 months. Despite their rare occurrence in the spermatic cord, MMs need to be suspected, especially in patients with a history of asbestos exposure. © The Korean Urological Association, 2011.