Vol. 12/ Núm. 3 2025 pág. 2309
https://doi.org/
10.69639/arandu.v12i3.1393
Delayed Diagnosis of
Scrotal Cancer with Report of Primitive
Cells of Difficult Characterization: A Case Report

Diagnóstico tardío de cáncer escrotal con reporte de células primitivas de difícil

caracterización
: Informe de un caso
Luisa María Gaviria

https://orcid.org/0009-0007-5471-3902

Luisagaviria1@hotmail.com

Universidad de los Andes

Bogotá D.C., Colombia

Sebastián Villamizar Castellanos

svillamizarc@unal.edu.co

https://orcid.org/0009-0009-2365-3729

Universidad Nacional de Colombia

Bogotá D.C., Colombia

Gloria Ibis Tirado Romero

gloriatirado1987@gmail.com

https://orcid.org/0009-0000-3759-5448

Fundación Universitaria Ciencias de la Salud

Bogotá D.C., Colombia

Juan Pablo Alzate Granados

juanpabloalzategranados@gmail.com

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8344-494X

Universidad Nacional de Colombia

Bogotá D.C., Colombia

Daniela Avendaño Burgos

danielaaburgos@hotmail.com

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6678-0212

Universidad del Rosario

Bogotá D.C., Colombia

Artículo recibido: 18 julio 2025 - Aceptado para publicación: 28 agosto 2025

Conflictos de intereses: Ninguno que declarar.

ABSTRACT

This case report presents a delayed diagnosis of scrotal cancer, a rare but aggressive neoplasm

with complex histological features due to the presence of primitive cells of difficult

characterization. The patient presented with progressive scrotal pain and
swelling, leading to the
identification of a scrotal mass through imaging studies and histopathological confirmation.

Management included complete excision of the mass and lymphadenectomy, followed by

adjuvant chemotherapy. Although the patient initially
faced a guarded prognosis due to the delay
in seeking medical attention, clinical improvement was observed during follow
-up. This case
highlights the importance of testicular and scrotal self
-examination as a key tool for the early
Vol. 12/ Núm. 3 2025 pág. 2310
detection of abnormalities, as well as the urgency of seeking timely medical care when suspicious

symptoms arise.

Keywords
: scrotal cancer, delayed diagnosis, primitive cells, testicular self-examination,
case report

RESUMEN

Este caso clínico presenta un
diagnóstico tardío de cáncer escrotal, una neoplasia poco frecuente
pero agresiva con características histológicas complejas debido a la presencia de células

primitivas de difícil caracterización. El paciente presentó dolor e inflamación escrotal

progresiv
os, lo que llevó a la identificación de una masa escrotal mediante estudios de imagen y
confirmación histopatológica. El tratamiento incluyó la escisión completa de la masa y

linfadenectomía, seguida de quimioterapia adyuvante. Aunque inicialmente el pacie
nte tuvo un
pronóstico reservado debido a la demora en la consulta médica, se observó una mejoría clínica

durante el seguimiento. Este caso resalta la importancia de la autoexploración testicular y escrotal

como herramienta clave para la detección temprana
de anomalías, así como la urgencia de buscar
atención médica oportuna ante la aparición de síntomas sospechosos.

Palabras clave:
cáncer escrotal, diagnóstico tardío, células primitivas, autoexploración
testicular, caso clínico

Todo el contenido de la Revista Científica Internacional Arandu UTIC publicado en este sitio está disponible bajo
licencia Creative Commons Atribution 4.0 International.
Vol. 12/ Núm. 3 2025 pág. 2311
INTRODUCTION

Scrotal cancer represents a low
-prevalence clinical entity with aggressive characteristics,
making it a challenge both for early detection and appropriate management (12). Historically, its

occurrence has been associated with specific occupational factors,
such as exposure to
hydrocarbons; however, in many cases, including the present one, no clear risk factors are

identified (11). This type of cancer has a high mortality rate when diagnosed at advanced stages,

which often occurs due to the absence of early
clinical signs and the tendency of patients to
underestimate changes in the scrotal region (15).

The case described is particularly relevant due to the presence of primitive cells with

difficult histopathological characterization, complicating both the initial diagnosis and precise

tumor classification (8). This underscores the importance of advanced
diagnostic tools and the
involvement of oncology specialists. Despite progress in imaging diagnostics and

immunohistochemical techniques, there remains a gap in the medical literature regarding the

optimal management of such pathologies.

This report was made to the purpose of contributing to medical knowledge and raising

awareness about a rare but possibly life
-threatening disease by reporting clinical findings,
therapeutic management, and outcomes.

Furthermore, this case highlights the diagnostic challenges in dealing with tumors with

undifferentiated cellular morphology. Even in experienced hands, the diagnosis under such

circumstances may demand large panels of immunohistochemical markers and molec
ular studies
for achieving a final diagnosis. There is a paucity of such conditions in the literature, thus there

are no standardized treatment guidelines and prognosis (2,5).

The heterogeneity in histologic appearance also raises important questions concerning the

biologic behavior of primitive scrotal tumors. It remains to be determined whether they behave

along the natural history of the other scrotal malignancies or constitu
te an unusual clinical and
histo
-pathological group. Elucidating this may bear important treatment and follow-up strategies
(7).

Presentation of this rare atypical case reinforces the rationale for cooperative multicenter

registries and prospective studies to clarify the natural history of rare genitourinary tumors. It is

hoped that these will ultimately result in better classificat
ion systems and personalized treatment
for individuals presenting with similarly complex phenotypes.

CLINICAL CASE

Presentation

A young man in his third decade of life presented to the medical consultation with a history

of several months of progressive swelling in the scrotal region, accompanied by intermittent pain

that had intensified in the weeks prior to his visit. He initiall
y noticed, around mid-June 2024, a
Vol. 12/ Núm. 3 2025 pág. 2312
painless hardening in the right hemiscrotum, which he disregarded due to the absence of other

symptoms. However, by the end of that month, the swelling had increased, and the pain began to

interfere with his daily activities, prompting him to seek medical
attention.
His personal medical history revealed no prior illnesses or surgeries. He reported no family

history of cancer, nor any occupational exposure to carcinogenic agents. The patient denied

sexually transmitted infections or toxic habits such as smoking or alco
hol abuse. Notably, he cited
financial and logistical difficulties in accessing healthcare, which contributed to the delay in his

consultation. At the time of presentation, the clinical context suggested a neoplasm with

potentially aggressive behavior, giv
en the rapid evolution of symptoms and functional impact.
The physical examination revealed a firm, non
-reducible mass in the right hemiscrotum,
with ill
-defined borders and local signs of inflammation, including mild erythema and increased
temperature. The lesion was tender to palpation, and there was no fluctua
tion or evidence of
infection. No inguinal lymphadenopathy was detected, and the contralateral testicle and systemic

examination were unremarkable. These findings led to an urgent referral for imaging and biopsy.

A testicular Doppler ultrasound performed on June 26 confirmed a vascularized intra
-
scrotal mass with cystic components. Four days later, a pelvic MRI revealed a neoplasm affecting

the right scrotum with probable infiltration of adjacent bony structures. O
n July 4, the patient
underwent an excisional biopsy, and histopathological analysis reported a poorly differentiated

tumor composed of small to intermediate
-sized cells, with lymphovascular invasion and
necrosis
suggestive of a high-grade malignant neoplasm.
Subsequent staging with CT scans on August 24 identified tumor extension to the penis

and scrotum, as well as metastases to bones and inguinal lymph nodes. Based on these findings,

adjuvant chemotherapy with the VAC protocol
Vincristine, Actinomycin D, and
Cyclophosphamide
was initiated on September 19 as first-line treatment. The first cycle was
well tolerated, and the patient was placed under scheduled oncological follow
-up.
Diagnostic Evaluation

The diagnostic process began with a Doppler ultrasound, which revealed a highly

vascularized solid mass in the scrotum. Subsequently, pelvic MRI identified features consistent

with a malignant tumor with aggressive behavior and secondary infiltrative lesio
ns. The biopsy
confirmed the poorly differentiated nature of the tumor, with primitive histological

characteristics. Common tumor markers such as AFP, CK, and CD30 were negative, complicating

precise tumor classification.

Therapeutic Intervention

Initial management included radical surgery for complete resection of the scrotal mass and

bilateral inguinal lymphadenectomy. Subsequently, the patient underwent adjuvant chemotherapy

following the VAC protocol (Vincristine, Actinomycin D, and Cyclophosph
amide). This regimen
Vol. 12/ Núm. 3 2025 pág. 2313
was administered over several cycles, with dose adjustments based on the patient’s tolerance. No

severe adverse effects were documented during treatment, and the patient was closely monitored.

Follow
-Up and Outcomes
At six months of follow
-up, imaging studies showed no evidence of local recurrence or
distant metastases. The patient reported significant improvement in pain and functionality.

Treatment adherence was complete and confirmed through periodic consultations
and regular
laboratory testing. The patient expressed satisfaction with the results and committed to his long
-
term follow
-up plan.
DISCUSSION

Epidemiology and Diagnostic Challenges

Scrotal cancer is a rare clinical entity, with a significantly lower incidence compared to

other genitourinary neoplasms (10). Its presentation is often insidious, and early symptoms
, such
as palpable masses or mild swelling
, are frequently ignored or underestimated by patients (4).
This delay in seeking medical care is particularly dangerous in aggressive tumors, which can

progress rapidly and metastasize. In the present case, the patient waited several weeks after

symptom ons
et before consulting, highlighting the need for greater public awareness regarding
scrotal changes and the importance of self
-examination.
The diagnostic process was further complicated by the presence of primitive cells with high

mitotic activity and poorly differentiated histological patterns (6). These features impeded the

precise classification of the tumor and complicated therapeutic pla
nning. The negativity of
common tumor markers such as AFP, CK, and CD30 further obscured diagnosis. In this context,

advanced diagnostic tools, including immunohistochemistry and magnetic resonance imaging,

were crucial for clinical decision
-making (6).
Given the histopathological overlap with other undifferentiated and high
-grade pediatric
tumors, the use of the VAC chemotherapy protocol
, comprising Vincristine, Actinomycin D, and
Cyclophosphamide
, was adopted. This regimen is well-established in the treatment of pediatric
sarcomas and embryonal tumors, such as rhabdomyosarcoma, and is supported by long
-term data
on its efficacy and tolerability in aggressive neoplasms with primitive differentiation.
Although
it is not standard for adult scrotal tumors, i
ts use was justified by the absence of a definitive
histological diagnosis, the tumor's biological behavior, and the therapeutic success documented

in similar histological contexts. In this case,
although experience with scrotal neoplasms is
limited, the VAC protocol (Vincristine, Actinomycin D, Cyclophosphamide) was selected based

on its favorable short
-term tolerability. In adolescents with rhabdomyosarcoma receiving similar
cumulative VAC doses,
studies have shown significantly fewer hematologic adverse effects,
supporting its use even in rare, adult
-onset presentations (16).
Vol. 12/ Núm. 3 2025 pág. 2314
Therapeutic Approach and Outcomes

Due to the tumor’s aggressive behavior and uncertain classification, a multimodal

treatment strategy was employed. The patient underwent radical surgery for complete tumor

resection along with bilateral inguinal lymphadenectomy. This was followed by adjuva
nt
chemotherapy using a regimen based on cisplatin, etoposide, and bleomycin
, agents commonly
employed in the treatment of primitive germ cell tumors (3). Although specific data on scrotal

neoplasms are limited, the approach was justified by the clinical s
cenario and comparable
experiences reported in the literature (3).

The patient tolerated the VAC protocol well, with no severe adverse effects, and showed

no signs of relapse during the initial six
-month follow-up. This outcome reinforces the potential
effectiveness of a multimodal therapeutic approach in similar rare cas
es. Nonetheless, the late-
stage diagnosis necessitated a more complex and aggressive treatment plan, underscoring the

benefits of early detection in avoiding such burdensome interventions (13).

Case Relevance and Future Implications

This case represents a valuable addition to the limited literature on scrotal neoplasms with

primitive histological features. Due to the overlap with other undifferentiated tumors and the

difficulties in classification, it emphasizes the urgent need to est
ablish centralized databases and
cooperative multicenter studies. Such efforts could lead to the development of consensus

diagnostic criteria and enable comparative research to refine therapeutic strategies. The inclusion

of molecular profiling may also pr
ovide new opportunities for personalized therapies, particularly
by identifying actionable mutations or predictive biomarkers for specific treatment responses

(1,13).

Furthermore, this report supports the integration of interdisciplinary care involving

specialists in oncology, radiology, and pathology, combined with comprehensive patient support

(6). Multidisciplinary management facilitates more accurate diagnosis and e
nhances treatment
planning and long
-term follow-up, ultimately improving outcomes.
The most critical lesson from this case is that timely diagnosis and treatment are essential to

modify the clinical course of rare, aggressive malignancies such as scrotal cancer. It also

reinforces the importance of implementing community
-based preventive strategies, especially
promoting scrotal and testicular self
-examination and encouraging early medical consultation.
Healthcare systems must prioritize public education campaigns and ensure equitable access to

specialized services, particularly for unders
erved populations, to reduce disparities in the
diagnosis and management of these rare urogenital tumors.
Vol. 12/ Núm. 3 2025 pág. 2315
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