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Classification of Testicular Tumors

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Genitourinary Pathology

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Abstract

This chapter reviews the classification and general pathologic features of testicular tumors. Germ cell tumors represent, by far, the greatest number of cases, and they are divided into two major categories—seminomas and non-seminomatous tumors. The latter consist of embryonal carcinoma, yolk sac tumor, choriocarcinoma, and teratoma. Admixtures of the various types are common, and the presence of any non-seminomatous tumor in an otherwise pure seminoma places the neoplasm into the non-seminomatous category. This full spectrum of germ cell neoplasia may develop in postpubertal patients, and it is now recognized that the origin of almost all of the postpubertal germ cell tumors can be traced to a distinctive intratubular malignant germ cell, which is termed intratubular germ cell neoplasia, unclassified (IGCNU). This situation contrasts with what is found in prepubertal children where only yolk sac tumor and teratoma are found and there is lack of IGCNU. The sex cord-stromal tumors comprise a small minority of testicular neoplasms but have a diverse morphology and many interesting associated features including hormonal manifestations and linkage to certain genetic syndromes. The entities include Leydig cell tumor, Sertoli cell tumor (including several subtypes), granulosa cell tumor of both juvenile and adult type, tumors in the fibroma/thecoma group, and unclassified and mixed forms of sex cord-stromal tumor. The gonadoblastoma is considered a mixed germ cell-sex cord-stromal tumor that occurs mostly in patients with gonadal dysgenesis. The possibility that an unusual-appearing tumor in the testis represents a metastasis from another site must also always be considered.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, Cleveland Clinic, Robert J. Tomsich Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Institute, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Prof. Cristina Magi-Galluzzi MD, PhD

  2. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA

    Prof. Thomas M. Ulbright MD

Authors
  1. Prof. Cristina Magi-Galluzzi MD, PhD
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  2. Prof. Thomas M. Ulbright MD
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Correspondence to Cristina Magi-Galluzzi MD, PhD .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA

    Cristina Magi-Galluzzi

  2. Department of Pathology, The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA

    Christopher G. Przybycin

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Magi-Galluzzi, C., Ulbright, T. (2015). Classification of Testicular Tumors. In: Magi-Galluzzi, C., Przybycin, C. (eds) Genitourinary Pathology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2044-0_35

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2044-0_35

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