Immune-modulating medications: the masquerading culprit of epididymo-orchitis
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have revolutionised pharmacological chemotherapy for various malignant neoplasms. The side effects of ICIs are still being fully understood. We present a case of a male patient in his mid-50s with a history of metastatic renal cell carcinoma ultimately diagnosed with bilateral epididymo-orchitis (EO) following pembrolizumab maintenance treatment. Our report adds to the three identified cases of EO linked to immune checkpoint inhibitors. This rarely reported association should serve as a cautionary tale for future clinicians about the possible side effects of these immune-enhancing medications.
Authors
- Hari Polenakovik (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5793-5729)
- David S Buchinsky
- Jonathan I Hakim
Institutions
- Wright State University (US)
- Dayton VA Medical Center (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- BMJ Case Reports
- Published
- 2026-01-01
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2025-267699
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Cancer Immunotherapy and Biomarkers
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 24.20