Abstract
Imaging plays an important role in the scrotum and is routinely used to diagnose, stage and monitor testicular neoplasms. Multiple imaging modalities are currently used, including conventional radiography, ultrasound, CT and MRI. Recently, advances in imaging technology have made possible a noninvasive assessment of functional tumour features and specific molecular pathways in vivo. Molecular and functional imaging as DWI, MR spectroscopy, dynamic contrast-enhanced techniques and PET or PET-CT evaluates changes in tumour physiology and function rather than anatomy, which are likely to be earlier and more sensitive manifestations of disease. Testicular cancer has an excellent prognosis, and the cure rate combining surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy is approximately 95 %. Early detection, a correct staging and treatment in multidisciplinary teams are all important factors in the management of patients with testicular cancer; fertility and quality of life are also important issues to address in this setting.
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Abbreviations
- AFP:
-
Alpha fetoprotein
- CEUS:
-
Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography
- DCE-MRI:
-
Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI
- DWI:
-
Diffusion-weighted imaging
- 18FDG-PET:
-
18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography
- GCTs:
-
Germ cell tumors
- 1H-MRS:
-
1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy
- hCG:
-
Human chorionic gonadotropin
- LDH:
-
Lactate dehydrogenase
- LNs:
-
Lymph nodes
- LT:
-
Leydig tumor
- MRI:
-
Magnetic resonance imaging
- NSGCTs:
-
Nonseminomatous germ cell tumors
- PLAP:
-
Placental alkaline phosphatase
- RTE:
-
Real-time sonoelastography
- SCT:
-
Sertoli cell tumor
- TL:
-
Testicular lymphomas
- TM:
-
Testicular microlithiasis
- UCAs:
-
Ultrasound contrast agents
- US:
-
Ultrasonography
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Baleato-González, S., León-Mateos, L., Pérez-Santiago, M.I., Vilanova, J.C. (2014). Scrotum. In: Luna, A., Vilanova, J., Hygino Da Cruz Jr., L., Rossi, S. (eds) Functional Imaging in Oncology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-40582-2_26
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