Three children, ages 1, 6, and 24 months, had testicular tumors; two had enlarging hydroceles. Although testicular tumors are less common in children than adults, early detection depends on a high degree of suspicion and early surgery for any enlarging inguinal or scrotal mass.
Approximately two thirds of childhood testicular tumors are of germ cell origin. Accurate histologic diagnosis is necessary to determine therapy and prognosis. Childhood testicular teratoma is usually a benign lesion. However, the prognosis in children with malignant testicular neoplasms is age-dependent, as is true with most malignancies of childhood. A longer survival is noted in younger children.