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The etiology or exact cause of testicular tumors is unknown, however, factors that are believed to contribute to their development in rats are: congenital cryptorchidism (undescended testicle), and aging.
Testicular tumors can be both benign or metastatic. While these tumors are not uncommon in the aging male rat, they are rarely found to have spread or metastasized to other organs or areas of the body.
Testicular cancer or tumors are primarily found to arise from primordial germ cells (undeveloped or seed” cells that develop into sperm). They are then divided into types: seminomas which contain primitive less specialized cells, and nonseminomas which contain more specialized cells from which cancers such as embryonal carcinoma, yolk sac carcinoma, choriocarcinoma and teratoma’s develop. Those tumors that contain both seminoma and nonseminoma types are mixed germ cell tumors.
In addition those tumors that develop from supportive and hormone producing tissues in the testicles are called stromal tumors. Stromal tumors are further divided into two types of testicular tumors: leydig cell (found in the interstium of the testicles and primary site for the biosynthesis of testosterone) and sertoli cell (nurse cells that regulate intratubular and intercellular environment in the testicles). The leydig cell tumors and sertoli cell tumors are the types most often seen in male rats. Both types of tumors generally do not metastasize.
Secondary testicular tumors can develop when metastasis has occurred from another area of the body. Metastatic conditions that can be responsible for secondary tumor development in the testicles are lymphoma and leukemia.
Even though it is rare in rats for testicular tumors to metastasize to other areas of the body; the recommended treatment for these tumors is orchiectomy (neutering or removal of the testicles). This is because the inevitable growth of these tumors can cause ureteral and bowel obstruction.
Photos and case history of testicular tumor formation and removal can be seen in the following figure.
For photos of a neuter (orchiectomy) procedure, see the following:
Palpate for testicular mass.
Gross examination of testicular tissue, where orchiectomy is performed, may indicate cell type/origin.
In the event surgery for tumor removal is an option the following recommended post-op analgesia may be given:
For severe pain or first 24 hours post-op: butorphanol (Torbugesic).
For mild to moderate pain: Banamine (flunixin meglumine) or carprofen. Do not use if a corticosteroid has already been prescribed.
Because there is the potential for wound infection, seroma, or hematoma when an orchiectomy (neuter) is performed via the scrotum on a rat, a broad-spectrum antibiotic prescribed post-op is encouraged.
For information regarding medications refer to the Rat Medication Guide.
While you may not be able to prevent the development of testicular tumors, doing the following may increase quality of life:
Posted on July 2, 2005, 14:44,
Last updated on June 16, 2008, 13:22
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