Expression analysis of the pluripotency marker UTF-1 for determining the applicability of testis-sparing surgery for prepubertal testis tumors

Testis-sparing surgery (TSS) is widely performed for prepubertal testicular tumors because most of these tumors are benign and have biological characteristics that make them amenable to local treatment. Here, we report a case of prepubertal teratoma enucleation. In order to evaluate the proliferative potential of the tumor and the applicability of testis-sparing surgery, we investigated the expression of UTF-1—a specific marker of pluripotency and self-renewal—using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. Because the enucleated tissue did not demonstrate the expression of UTF-1, the applicability of TSS was verified, in the present case.