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Molecular and Immunohistochemical Markers of Diagnostic and Prognostic Value in Testicular Tumors

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Genitourinary Pathology

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Abstract

Primary testicular tumors are rare and the great majority fall into one of two major categories: germ cell and sex cord-stromal tumors. Germ cell tumors (GCTs) are the most common, but the histogenesis, morphology, and genotypic features vary greatly depending on whether they develop in a prepubertal gonad or in an adult. While there is little debate on the histogenesis and molecular characteristics of adult onset GCTs, molecular markers associated with drug resistance and poor prognosis have yet to be defined. Surgery remains the key to effective treatment of sex cord-stromal tumors since effective systemic therapies remain elusive; very little is known regarding the molecular mechanisms of drug resistance in this disease. The types of germ cells and sex cord-stromal tumors are many, yet the judicious use of immunohistochemical markers can be a useful adjunct to arrive at a correct diagnosis.

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  1. Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA

    Prof. Victor E. Reuter MD

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Correspondence to Victor E. Reuter MD .

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  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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Reuter, V. (2015). Molecular and Immunohistochemical Markers of Diagnostic and Prognostic Value in 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_40

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