Germ cell tumors unrelated to germ cell neoplasia in situ

2023-05-02   Andres M. Acosta, MD 

1.Department of Pathology, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN

Classification

Definition

Germ cell tumors unrelated to GCNIS include pre-pubertal type germ cell neoplasms with yolk sac or teratoma histology, as well as rare types of germ cell neoplasms arising in post pubertal patients (most notably spermatocytic tumor). Pre-pubertal-type gem cell tumors are diploid (teratoma) or aneuploid (yolk sac tumor) and lack i(12p). 1,2 Spermatocytic tumors often affect older men and are largely indolent, although a small subset may undergo sarcomatous transformation and behave aggressively. 3 Spermatocytic tumors are often polyploid (near-triploid, near-tetraploid), and a subset is driven by gain of function variants in kinase genes such as FGFR3, KRAS and NRAS. 4

Germ cell tumors unrelated to germ cell neoplasia in situGenetics Events
Spermatocytic tumor Associated with aneuploidy (near-triploid to near-tetraploid genomes), gains of 9p that include the DMRT1 locus,5 as well as HRAS and FGFR3 mutations. 6 Increased copy number of ETV6 signals. 7
Teratoma, prepubertal-typeUnlike post-pubertal teratoma, pre-pubertal counterparts are diploid and do not harbor i(12p).8.
Yolk sac tumour, prepubertal-typePre-pubertal yolk sac tumor are often aneuploid and do not harbor i(12p).2
Testicular neuroendocrine tumour, prepubertal-typeNo specific molecular alterations identified so far.
Mixed teratoma and yolk sac tumour, prepubertal-typeThese tumours lack overrrepresentation of sequences of 12p/i(12p).

Article Bibliography

Reference NumberPubmed IDLast YearTitleAuthors
1157614662005Origins and molecular biology of testicular germ cell tumors.Reuter VE et al
2107790212000Genetic analysis of childhood endodermal sinus tumors by comparative genomic hybridization.Perlman EJ et al
3316463732019A systematic review of treatment outcomes in localised and metastatic spermatocytic tumors of the testis.Grogg JB et al
4285423712017Whole-genome sequencing of spermatocytic tumors provides insights into the mutational processes operating in the male germline.Giannoulatou E et al
5163972422006Genomic and expression profiling of human spermatocytic seminomas: primary spermatocyte as tumorigenic precursor and DMRT1 as candidate chromosome 9 gene.Looijenga LH et al
6198553932009Activating mutations in FGFR3 and HRAS reveal a shared genetic origin for congenital disorders and testicular tumors.Goriely A et al
7299372342018Metastatic spermatocytic tumour with hybrid genetics: breaking the rules in germ cell tumours.Wagner T et al
8235989642013Evidence supporting the existence of benign teratomas of the postpubertal testis: a clinical, histopathologic, and molecular genetic analysis of 25 cases.Zhang C et al

Citation

Andres M. Acosta, MD

Germ cell tumors unrelated to germ cell neoplasia in situ

Atlas Genet Cytogenet Oncol Haematol. 2023-05-02

Online version: http://atlasgeneticsoncology.org/solid-tumor/209122/germ-cell-tumors-unrelated-to-germ-cell-neoplasia-in-situ