Challenges, Treatment Strategies, and Surgical Techniques in the Management of Spermatic Cord Sarcomas.

Abstract

Spermatic cord sarcomas (SCS) are a group of mesenchymal tumors whose rarity and anatomical location often lead to clinical misdiagnosis such as inguinal hernia, testicular tumor, or other conditions. Any inguinoscrotal mass with suspicious characteristics should prompt clinicians to perform imaging assessments (such as ultrasound or, in uncertain cases, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)) and refer the patient promptly to a specialized center. Histological characterization of all suspicious masses via percutaneous biopsy is recommended, with staging completed through computed tomography (CT) scan for confirmed cases. Optimal management is multidisciplinary and should consider both the tumor's histological subtype and specific characteristics of the tumor and patient. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy, while awaiting more robust data in the literature, are valuable adjuncts to surgery, which remains the cornerstone of treatment. Surgery should also be proposed for patients who initially underwent nonspecialist procedures, as a completion approach. The surgical strategy involves en bloc resection through radical orchifunicolectomy, ipsilateral hemiscrotectomy, ligation of the spermatic cord at the internal inguinal ring, and, where necessary, resection of the inguinal canal. Reconstruction may employ mesh or pedicled flaps. The prognosis of SCS, when treated at referral centers, is superior to that of mesenchymal tumors at other sites, underscoring the need for early recognition and prompt multidisciplinary care.