Intratesticular Serous Borderline Tumor: A Clinicopathologic and Molecular Analysis of Four Tumors With Literature Review

Ovarian-type epithelial tumors of the testis are uncommon, with serous borderline tumors (SBTs) representing the most. Intratesticular localization is exceptionally rare, with fewer than 20 tumors described in the literature. We report 4 intratesticular SBTs and provide a clinicopathologic and molecular characterization along with a literature review. The patients ranged from 16 to 83 years and presented with scrotal swelling, discomfort, or a palpable mass. Serum tumor markers were within normal limits in all patients. Imaging studies revealed well-circumscribed cystic lesions with internal papillary projections. Gross examination of the tumors showed unilocular cystic lesions containing serous to hemorrhagic fluid within the testis. Histopatholologically, the tumors showed complex intracystic papillary projections lined by ciliated pseudostratified columnar or cuboidal epithelium with minimal atypia and no stromal invasion. Psammoma bodies and focal heterotopic ossification were variably observed. Immunohistochemically, all tumors were diffusely positive for WT1, estrogen receptor, and progesterone receptor, with variable PAX8 and keratin 7 (KRT7) expression, and were negative for calretinin and D2.40, confirming Müllerian differentiation. Targeted next-generation sequencing revealed pathogenic alterations in <i>AKT1</i> (p.E17K), <i>CHEK2</i> (p.D438Y), and <i>TERT</i> promoter (c.-124C > T) in one patient, expanding the molecular spectrum of testicular SBTs; the remaining sequenced tumors were wild-type. All patients remained disease-free during follow-up. Intratesticular SBTs are rare Müllerian-type neoplasms that can closely mimic other more aggressive neoplasms. Recognition of their characteristic morphology and immunoprofile, together with emerging molecular insights, is helpful to avoid misdiagnosis and overtreatment.

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Journal
International Journal of Surgical Pathology
Published
2026-03-26
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/10668969261425687
Primary Topic
Testicular diseases and treatments
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article
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article

Intratesticular Serous Borderline Tumor: A Clinicopathologic and Molecular Analysis of Four Tumors With Literature Review

Mahmut Akgül, Güneş Güner, Büşra Yaprak Bayrak, Gupse Turan et al.
International Journal of Surgical Pathology
Testicular diseases and treatments
article

Intratesticular Serous Borderline Tumor: A Clinicopathologic and Molecular Analysis of Four Tumors With Literature Review

Mahmut Akgül, Güneş Güner, Büşra Yaprak Bayrak, Gupse Turan, Sümeyye Şahin, Hale Kivrak, Deniz Pinar Baran, Nazif Alperen Yildirim
article en

Abstract

Ovarian-type epithelial tumors of the testis are uncommon, with serous borderline tumors (SBTs) representing the most. Intratesticular localization is exceptionally rare, with fewer than 20 tumors described in the literature. We report 4 intratesticular SBTs and provide a clinicopathologic and molecular characterization along with a literature review. The patients ranged from 16 to 83 years and presented with scrotal swelling, discomfort, or a palpable mass. Serum tumor markers were within normal limits in all patients. Imaging studies revealed well-circumscribed cystic lesions with internal papillary projections. Gross examination of the tumors showed unilocular cystic lesions containing serous to hemorrhagic fluid within the testis. Histopatholologically, the tumors showed complex intracystic papillary projections lined by ciliated pseudostratified columnar or cuboidal epithelium with minimal atypia and no stromal invasion. Psammoma bodies and focal heterotopic ossification were variably observed. Immunohistochemically, all tumors were diffusely positive for WT1, estrogen receptor, and progesterone receptor, with variable PAX8 and keratin 7 (KRT7) expression, and were negative for calretinin and D2.40, confirming Müllerian differentiation. Targeted next-generation sequencing revealed pathogenic alterations in <i>AKT1</i> (p.E17K), <i>CHEK2</i> (p.D438Y), and <i>TERT</i> promoter (c.-124C > T) in one patient, expanding the molecular spectrum of testicular SBTs; the remaining sequenced tumors were wild-type. All patients remained disease-free during follow-up. Intratesticular SBTs are rare Müllerian-type neoplasms that can closely mimic other more aggressive neoplasms. Recognition of their characteristic morphology and immunoprofile, together with emerging molecular insights, is helpful to avoid misdiagnosis and overtreatment.

International Journal of Surgical Pathology
Brigham and Women's Hospital (US), Gülhane Askerî Tıp Akademisi (TR), Hacettepe University Hospital (TR), Kocaeli Üniversitesi (TR), Istanbul University (TR)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 7%
Testicular diseases and treatments
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