Testicular germ cell tumor composed of placental site trophoblastic tumor and teratoma

Non-choriocarcinomatous trophoblastic tumors of testis in postchemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissections

Non-choriocarcinomatous trophoblastic tumors (NCTTs) are seldomly diagnosed in male genital tract. As they have been recently described among the testicular germ cell tumor (TGCT) variants, pathologists' familiarity with their morphology is limited. We searched our electronic hospital records covering the years 2000-2017 for post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal TGCT metastectomies. Slides of all cases with viable tumor were retrieved from the archives and reviewed. Cases suspected of N-CTT morphologies were subjected to immunohistochemistry. Twelve NCTTs were identified, 9 of which were unseen or misdiagnosed by the original pathologists: Cystic trophoblastic tumor (CTT) (n = 5), placental site trophoblastic tumor (n = 2), epithelioid trophoblastic tumor (ETT) (n = 4), and coinciding PSTT + ETT (n = 1). Eight of these were associated with mature teratoma components, and one case (ETT) contained embryonal carcinoma and yolk sac tumor in addition to teratoma. Ten patients were clinically N1 at the time of primary tumor detection and orchiectomy. One patient had burned-out primary testicular tumor. Six patients were clinical M1a at presentation, while one male was cM1b. Six patients had mildly elevated β-HCG (≤ 410 mIU/ml) just prior to retroperitoneal lymph node dissections (RPLND), while the others had normal β-HCG levels. All patients had follow-ups ranging from 8 to 118 months (mean 42.3 months). Three patients died of disease-related and two of unrelated causes. In conclusion, because NCTTs are rare and newly described tumor types, their diagnosis is difficult and most of them are missed in post-chemotherapy RPLNDs. The majority of patients exhibit normal or slightly elevated β-HCG levels. N-CTTs are usually accompanied by other components of TGCT, the most common being teratoma. Despite the high survival rate of the patients, our study points to the unpredictable evolution of NCTT cases, which may concur with a high-stage or progressive disease.

Testicular Tumors: New Developments in Germ Cell and Sex Cord Stromal Tumors

This article reviews the recent advances and potential future changes in the classification of testicular germ cell and sex cord stromal tumors, highlighting changes in the classification system and terminology with description on newer entities. A discussion on approaching difficult areas and diagnostic pitfalls is also included along with the utility of ancillary investigations. Areas with limited knowledge are highlighted to providing direction for future studies and a bulleted summary in the form of critical care points is provided.

Ovarian Intermediate Trophoblastic Tumors: Genotyping Defines a Distinct Category of Nongestational Tumors of Germ Cell Type

Trophoblastic neoplasms involving the ovary are uncommon and include gestational tumors, which are either metastatic from the uterus or ectopic and nongestational tumors, which include those of germ cell type/origin and somatic tumors with trophoblastic differentiation; in all these types, most are pure choriocarcinoma. Intermediate trophoblastic tumors, which include placental site trophoblastic tumor (PSTT) and epithelioid trophoblastic tumor (ETT), are rare in the ovary, with most assumed to be gestational; this is the only category formally recognized in 2014 World Health Organization (WHO) classification, likely due to few well-documented nongestational examples. We report the clinicopathologic features of 6 ovarian intermediate trophoblastic tumors, including 3 PSTTs, 2 ETTs, and 1 ETT with choriocarcinomatous differentiation. DNA-based short tandem repeat genotyping identified 4 of these as nongestational (3 PSTTs and 1 ETT), as evidenced by sharing of alleles between tumor and normal tissue at all informative loci. Interestingly, all 3 of the nongestational PSTTs coexisted with mature cystic teratoma. The remaining 2 tumors (1 ETT and 1 ETT with some choriocarcinomatous differentiation) were gestational (likely ectopic due to lack of evidence of a uterine tumor), as evidenced by the presence of both maternal and novel/nonmaternal alleles at informative loci in tumor compared with normal tissue. It is important to recognize a distinct category of primary ovarian nongestational intermediate trophoblastic tumors of germ cell type/origin, including PSTT and ETT, in classification systems to guide clinical management, as gestational and nongestational tumors have different genetic origins and may require different therapy. Genotyping is useful for classification as nongestational versus gestational, particularly as traditional clinicopathologic findings cannot always predict the nature of a trophoblastic tumor.

The World Health Organization 2016 classification of testicular germ cell tumours: a review and update from the International Society of Urological Pathology Testis Consultation Panel

Since the last World Health Organization (WHO) classification scheme for tumours of the urinary tract and male genital organs, there have been a number of advances in the understanding, classification, immunohistochemistry and genetics of testicular germ cell tumours. The updated 2016 draft classification was discussed at an International Society of Urological Pathology Consultation on Testicular and Penile Cancer. This review addresses the main updates to germ cell tumour classification. Major changes include a pathogenetically derived classification using germ cell neoplasia in situ (GCNIS) as a new name for the precursor lesion, and the distinction of prepubertal tumours (non-GCNIS-derived) from postpubertal-type tumours (GCNIS-derived), acknowledging the existence of rare benign prepubertal-type teratomas in the postpubertal testis. Spermatocytic tumour is adopted as a replacement for spermatocytic seminoma, to avoid potential confusion with the unrelated usual seminoma. The spectrum of trophoblastic tumours arising in the setting of testicular germ cell tumour continues to expand, to include epithelioid and placental site trophoblastic tumours analogous to those of the gynaecological tract. Currently, reporting of anaplasia (seminoma or spermatocytic tumour) or immaturity (teratoma) is not required, as these do not have demonstrable prognostic importance. In contrast, overgrowth of a teratomatous component (somatic-type malignancy) and sarcomatous change in spermatocytic tumour indicate more aggressive behaviour, and should be reported.

Historical, morphological and clinical overview of placental site trophoblastic tumors: from bench to bedside

INTRODUCTION

Placental site trophoblastic tumor (PSTT) is a form of gestational trophoblastic disease that originates from the implantation of an intermediate trophoblast. It was described for the first time by Von F. Marchand in 1895 as belonging to chorioepithelioma sui generis, a pathological condition with many variations and a progressive degree of malignancy.

METHODS

We have conducted a literature review in MEDLINE about epidemiology, etiopathogenesis and clinical features of PSTT. Moreover, a case that occurred in our institution was reported.

RESULTS

Our research has highlighted that existing published data about PSTT are not uniform. The number of cases described in the literature has updated and the clinical features of selected "case series" of patients diagnosed with PSTT were showed. The etiopathogenesis was discussed. It was noted that current prognostic factors still allow important information regarding PSTT to be obtained, albeit fragmentary.

CONCLUSIONS

The lack of uniformity in data collection seen so far has limited full knowledge of PSTT. For this reason, we suggest a model (PSTT model) that collects and unifies PSTT evidence as this would be useful to identify worldwide precise prognostic factors, which are still lacking. When PSTT is diagnosed, the proper procedure seems to be total hysterectomy, with sampling of pelvic lymph nodes and ovarian conservation. For advanced-stage diseases, (stage III and IV) a combination of surgery and polychemotherapy is suggested.