Testicular cancer accounts for 1% of all malignancies in men, and is the most common cancer between the ages of 15 and 34 years.<sup>58 Silverberg E. Cancer in young adults (ages 15 to 34) Cancer 1982 ;  32 : 32-42  [cross-ref]

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> Most testicular cancers present as a palpable painless testicular mass, which is hypoechoic at sonography.<sup>4 Bree R.L., Hoang D.T. Scrotal ultrasound Radiol Clin North Am 1996 ;  34 : 1183-1205

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> If performed, MR imaging demonstrates a mass that is relatively isointense to the surrounding normal testicular parenchyma on T1-weighted images and hypointense on T2-weighted images, and which shows brisk and early enhancement after intravenous gadolinium.<sup>31 Hricak H., Hamm B., Kim B. Imaging of the Scrotum: Textbook and Atlas New York: Raven Press (1995).  49-93

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> This combination of findings in a young man is virtually diagnostic of testicular cancer, and warrants surgical exploration and radical orchiectomy. Percutaneous biopsy is rarely performed for preoperative confirmation, because it may cause malignant spread along the needle tract,<sup>68 Weaver D.J., Havey A.D., Weinstein S.H. , e al. Nonpalpable occult testis tumor Urology 1989 ;  34 : 218-220  [cross-ref]

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> and because the probability of malignancy exceeds 90%.<sup>53 Richie J.P. Neoplasms of the testis:  Philadelphia: WB Saunders (1922).  1222-1263

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> For some testicular masses, however, the clinical or imaging findings do not fit this typical scenario, so that management is less straightforward. This article reviews the imaging and management of more common atypical testicular masses, as listed next:

The list is not exhaustive, because some rare causes of testicular masses are not included.