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extragonadal germ cell neoplasm
Epidemiology: 5-10% of all germ cell neoplasms
Pathology:
- seminomas account for 30-40% of these tumors
- nonseminomatous germ cell tumors 60-70%
- yolk-sac tumors, embryonal carcinomas, choriocarcinomas, teratomas
- location
a) mediastinum (50-70%)
b) retroperitoneum (30-40%)
- often present late with large tumors
c) pineal gland (5%)
d) sacrococcygeal area (< 5%)
- tumors may arise from testes [2]
Laboratory:
1) alpha-fetoprotein may be secreted
2) chorionic gonadotropin may be secreted
Management:
- prognosis:
- for patients receiving intensive chemotherapy, 5-year survival is 40-65%
- extragonadal seminomas carry the best survival rates
- mortality due to the treatment is ~ 12%
Specific
primary intracranial germ cell neoplasm
General
germ cell neoplasm
References
- eMedicine: extragonadal germ cell tumors
http://www.emedicine.com/MED/topic759.htm
- Scholz M et al
Extragonadal retroperitoneal germ cell tumor: evidence of
origin in the testis.
Ann Oncol. 2002 Jan;13(1):121-4.
PMID: 11863093