Germ cell tumors are composed of a number of histologically different tumor types derived from the primitive germ cells of the embryonic gonad. Ovarian germ cell tumors usually occur in teenage girls or young women and most often affect just one ovary the ovaries are a pair of organs in the female reproductive system. Within the ovaries, germ cell tumors can usually be distinguished from ovarian cysts, which are much more common, using ultrasound. Fistulas are abnormal communications between two surfaces covered by the epithelium. Reporting and staging of testicular germ cell tumors the international society of urological pathology isup testicular cancer consultation conference recommendations. Describe the differences in pathologic and radiologic features between seminomas and nonsemi. Pdf germ cell tumors of the ovary an update researchgate. Germ cell tumors can spread to lymph nodes, lung, liver, and brain.
The most common sites for metastasis are the lungs, liver, lymph nodes, and central nervous system. Childhood extracranial germ cell tumors treatment pdq. Malignant germ cell cancers of the ovary include dysgerminomas and nondysgerminomas, which include immature teratomas, embryonal cell carcinoma, yolk sac tumors, primary ovarian nongestational choriocarcinomas, polyembryoma, and mixed germ cell tumors. From head to toe1 learning objectives for test 2 after reading this article and taking the test, the reader will be able to.
Reporting and staging of testicular germ cell tumors. Pathology of germ cell tumors of the testis show all authors. A patient may receive 1 drug at a time or combinations of different drugs given at the same time. The term germ cell tumor gct may refer to a broad array of tumors from different. A fistula can occur between the bronchial tree and the adjacent anatomical structures secondary to variable etiologies. Thus, staging, risk stratification, and treatment approaches for germcell. A biopsy is the removal of a small amount of tissue for examination under a microscope.
Germ cell neoplasms are classified on the basis of the presence of germ cell neoplasia in situ gcnis in the adjacent parenchyma. Germ cell tumors can spread metastasize to other parts of the body. Primary mediastinal germ cell tumor the mediastinum is the most common site of extragonadal germ cell tumors 11, constituting 5070% of all extragonadal germ cell tumors. It was recognized in the 1960s that testicular germ cell tumors were curable with chemotherapeutic drugs. Cap approved pediatric extragonadal germ cell tumor 4. Protocol for the examination of resection specimens from patients with extragonadal germ cell tumors. They are also found in the midline and make appearances in neuropathology e. Paediatric extracranial germcell tumours the lancet. Sons and brothers of patients with testicular germ cell tumors have a fourfold and tenfold, respectively, increased risk of developing such tumors. Department of pathology stanford university school of medicine stanford ca 943055342. Therefore, onethird of the tumors have mixed patterns, and tumors arising from germ cells at different stages of their development should exhibit different features 47. Authors have also contributed articles on the genetics and epigenetics of germ cell tumor development in humans and in the mouse model system. But germ cells can sometimes be left behind in other parts of the body from when you developed in the womb. Burnedout germ cell tumors may occur in patients with metastatic disease with no gross evidence of a testicular tumor.
For earlystage testicular cancer we usually recommend radical orchiectomy, a surgery in which we remove the tumor along with the testicle. Histopathology and biology of testicular germ cell tumor. Germcell tumours are a heterogeneous group of neoplasms that present across a wide age range and vary in site, histology, and clinical behaviour. The survey results were used to initiate discussions, but decisions were made by expert consensus rather than voting. Treatment of malignant germ cell tumors of the ovary as well. Md the members of the international society of urological pathology testicular tumor panel. Conclusions appropriate management of testis tumors relies on accurate pathology and classification of these tumors. The cause of germ cell tumors isnt completely understood. Germ cell tumors gcts occur most frequently in the gonads and are. Extragonadal germ cell tumors gcts are relatively uncommon, but represent 1% to 5% of all gcts. Nogales ff, dulcey i, preda o 2014 germ cell tumors of the ovary. You can also get a germ cell tumor in the brain, chest, belly. Patients with germcell tumours are managed by a diverse array of specialists.
Anatomical pathology department at king abdulaziz university. Germ cell tumors is a neoplasm which obtained from germ cells. With guidance from the cap cancer and cap pathology electronic reporting committees. Extragonadal germ cell college of american pathologists.
Percentages of different tumor elements in mixed germ cell. Management of paediatric extracranial germ cell tumours carries a unique set of challenges. Enlarge extracranial germ cell tumors form in parts of the body other than the brain. Testicular germ cell tumor presenting with spontaneous complete or partial regression j ultrasound med 2003. Germ cell tumors atlas of genetics and cytogenetics.
Appropriate management of testis tumors relies on accurate. Difficult differential diagnoses in testicular pathology. Germ cells are the cells that develop in the embryo fetus, or unborn baby and become the cells that make up the reproductive system in males and females. A number of recommendations emerged from the conference, including that lymphovascular invasion lvi should always be reported and no. Over half of germ cell tumors consist of more than one cell type, requiring appropriate sampling for the correct diagnosis and correlation with the serum tumor markers.
Rarely, germ cell tumors can spread to the bone, bone marrow, and other organs. Table 71 summarizes the frequency of predominantly adult surgical pathology cases seen at the new york neurologic institute. The most common sites for metastasis are the lungs. Table 1 subtypes and characteristics of ovarian germ cell tumours data derived from rice, 1999 and john hopkins pathology, 2001.
Management of paediatric extracranial germcell tumours carries a unique set of challenges. Protocol for the examination of lymphadenectomy specimens from patients with malignant germ cell and sex cordstromal tumors of the testis. The fistulas require treatment because they are associated with hemoptysis, pneumonia, and acute respiratory distress syndrome compromising the. Germ cell tumors gcts are a heterogeneous group of malignant and nonmalignant neoplasms. Treatment of malignant germ cell tumors of the ovary as well epithelial ovarian carcinoma is discussed separately. From the department of genitourinary pathology at the armed forces.
Dysgerminomas and seminomas are of identical histology and occur in the. This includes the testicles, ovaries, sacrum lower part of the spine, coccyx tailbone, mediastinum area between the lungs, retroperitoneum the back wall of the abdomen, and the head and neck. Handbook for children with germ cell tumors american pediatric. The germ cells which are present outside the gonads are the birth defects during the development of embryo. Signs of ovarian germ cell tumor are swelling of the abdomen or vaginal bleeding after menopause. Germ cell tumors of the brain are a type of extragonadal germ cell tumor, but are treated differently than germ cell tumors in other parts of the body. Testicular germ cell tumors gcts are a heterogeneous group of neoplasms with diverse his topathology and clinical behavior.
There are many kinds of germ cell tumors and only some. The gcts exhibit various pathologic features according to the totipotentiality of the tumor cells. Germ cell tumor treatment at danafarberboston childrens. Pathology of germ cell tumors of the testis patologi. This is worth noting, since recent stem cell research has provided various pluripotency markers that have been applied to the diagnostic immuno pathology of malignant germ cell tumors. Protocol for the examination of resection specimens from. Protocol for the examination of lymphadenectomy specimens. These are the cells in the body that develop into sperm and eggs. A germ cell is a type of cell that forms as a fetus unborn baby develops.
Predicting behavior in these tumors can be confusing because it is based on a combination of varying factors including patient age, histologic subtype, anatomic site, and clinical stage. The group of germ cell neoplasms associated with gcnis includes seminoma, embryonal carcinoma, postpubertal type yolk sac tumor, postpubertal type teratoma and choriocarcinoma. Feb 10, 2016 terms germ cells a germ cell is any biological cell that gives rise to the gametes of an organism that reproduces sexually. A germcell tumor gct is a neoplasm derived from germ cells. Ovarian germ cell tumors ogcts are derived from primordial germ cells of the ovary. Benign teratoma, requires no chemotherapy malignant teratoma, may require chemotherapy, depending upon stage yolk sac tumor, has a high afp blood test, which can. Some germ cell tumors occur in other areas of the body, such as the abdomen, brain and chest, though it. An overview of testicular germ cell tumors archives of pathology. Problematic differential diagnoses include seminoma versus nonseminomatous germ cell tumors, germ cell tumors. Cancer staging manual, sixth edition 2002 published by springerver lag new. The prevalence and prognostic impact of lymph node metastasis in malignant germ cell tumors of the ovary.
Since that time, newer drugs including cisplatin have increased the cure rate of these tumors to over 80%, even in patients with metastatic disease. Most germ cell tumors that are cancerous occur as cancer of the testicles testicular cancer or cancer of the ovaries ovarian cancer. Germ cell tumors also exhibit a unique biology and genetics that distinguish them from other solid tumors and might contribute to their. Gcts that originate outside the gonads may be birth defects resulting from errors during development of the embryo. Pathology of germ cell tumors of the testis isabell a. Vincristine, dactinomycin, and cyclophosphamide in the treatment of malignant germ cell tumors of the ovary.
Germ cell tumors of the ovary archives of pathology. Histologic type the protocol mainly applies to malignant tumors of the testis, the vast majority of which are of germ cell origin. This is worth noting, since recent stem cell research has provided various pluripotency markers that have been applied to the diagnostic immunopathology of malignant germ cell tumors. The tumors are identified as pure form those of one histologic type and mixed form more than one histologic type. Pdf 1 malignant mixed germ cell tumors mmgct are rare,biologically. Over half of germ cell tumors consist of more than one cell type. Printable germ cell tumors of the mediastinum thymus. Clustering of testicular germ cell tumors among closely related male relatives has been reported, suggesting that a common genetic alteration contributes to tumor development in these families. Their morphology varies widely and includes mature teratoma, immature teratoma, seminoma, yolk sac tumor, embryonal carcinoma, choriocarcinoma, and mixed gcts.
These cells later become sperm in the testicles or eggs in the ovaries this summary is about germ cell tumors that form in parts of the body that are extracranial outside the brain. Germ cell tumors begin in the reproductive cells egg or sperm of the body. Germ cell tumors in the testes of an adolescent male commonly present as an enlarging, solid mass, which may be painful. Discuss the embryologic origin and clinical features of germ cell tumors in various locations. This provides a set of candidate biomarkers for risk stratification and potential therapeutic targeting. More than half of mediastinal germ cell tumors are mature teratomas. Germ cell tumors account for about 2 to 4 percent of all cancers in children and adolescents younger than age 20. Germ cell tumours most often develop in the ovary or testicle because this is where most germ cells are. The world health organization 2016 classification of testicular germ. Germ cell tumors danafarberboston childrens cancer. Germ cell tumors are malignant cancerous or nonmalignant benign, noncancerous tumors that are comprised mostly of germ cells. The results of earlier medical tests in addition to a physical examination, the following tests may be used to diagnose a germ cell tumor.
May 25, 2019 germ cell tumors are growths that form from reproductive cells. Germ cell tumours are a heterogeneous group of neoplasms that present across a wide age range and vary in site, histology, and clinical behaviour. Germ cell tumors include a number of histologically different tumor types derived from the primitive germ cells of the embryonic gonad. Extragonadal germinal cell syndromes are rare tumors that predominantly affect young males. Ovarian germ cell tumor is a disease in which malignant cancer cells form in the germ egg cells of the ovary.
Literature suggests that the only known risk factor for extragonadal germ cell tumors egcts is klinefelter syndrome 47xxy, which is associated with mediastinal nonseminomatous germ cell tumors. Fine needle aspiration of a metastatic germ cell tumor to. Summary of changes this is a major revision to the protocol. Cap approved pediatric extragonadal germ cell tumor germcell 3. This page is focused on extracranial outside of the brain germ cell tumors. Patients with germ cell tumours are managed by a diverse array of specialists.
The drugs that are commonly used for treating germ cell tumors include bleomycin blenoxane. The 5year overall survival rate in patients with germ cell tumor treated with induction chemotherapy followed by surgery reported to range from 45. Terms germ cells a germ cell is any biological cell that gives rise to the gametes of an organism that reproduces sexually. Integrated molecular characterization of testicular germ cell. This article covers germ cell tumours, often abbreviated gct, which classically arise in the gonads ovary, testis. Most germ cell tumors were more in males than females except for neurohy pophyseal localization where the numbers were almost equal p, 0. Problematic differential diagnoses include seminoma versus nonseminomatous germ cell. There have been several published reports of ovarian germ cell cancers affecting more than one family member. Ovarian malignant germ cell tumors omgcts are heterogeneous tumors that are derived from the primitive germ cells of the embryonic gonad. Gcts are found in a variety of anatomic locations, but most commonly affect the mediastinum and sacrococcygeal region. International society of urological pathology testis. Over half of germ cell tumors consist of more than one cell type, requiring.
Request pdf pathology of germ cell tumors this chapter highlights the gross, microscopic, and immunophenotypic features of yolk sac tumor, seminoma, embryonal carcinoma, and mature and. Germ cell tumor pathology based on the pathology, germ cell tumors are classified into several subtypes. This case summary is recommended for reporting extragonadal germ cell tumors but is not. It can be characterized into cancerous or noncancerous cell. Noncentral nervous system extragonadal gcts are found in a variety of anatomic locations, but most commonly affect the mediastinum and. Childhood extracranial germ cell tumors form from germ cells in parts of the body other than the brain. Most patients with a cancerous germ cell tumor will need chemotherapy. Germ cells normally occur inside the gonads ovary and testis. Tests that examine the ovaries, pelvic area, blood, and ovarian tissue are used to detect find and diagnose ovarian germ. A germ cell tumor gct is a neoplasm derived from germ cells. Germ cell tumors of the ovary are presumed to derive from the pathogenic transformation of ovarian germ cells at different stages of development. Current texts, pubmed national library of medicine articles, and archives at indiana university.
Germ cell tumors are growths that form from reproductive cells. Thus, staging, risk stratification, and treatment approaches for germ cell. Jun 03, 2019 germ cell neoplasms are classified on the basis of the presence of germ cell neoplasia in situ gcnis in the adjacent parenchyma. The main clinical manifestations of bronchial fistulas include hemoptysis, purulent cough, and pneumonia, which might. Sometimes, a group of germ cells grows in a way thats not normal. In adults, extragonadal germ cell tumors account for 15% of primary anterior mediastinal tumors 12. Ogct are subdivided into the clinicopathological entities listed in table 1.
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