Cytogenetic analysis of a mature teratoma and a yolk sac tumor component of a late relapse of a disseminated testicular nonseminoma

Malignant transformation of intracranial mature teratoma to yolk sac tumor after late relapse

✓ The recurrence of intracranial mature teratomas as germ cell tumors of different histological types is rarely reported. The authors describe the first case of the malignant transformation of an intracranial mature teratoma into a yolk sac tumor in a 16-year-old boy who presented with a 1-month history of anorexia and somnolence. Seven years prior to this presentation, the boy had undergone surgery for extirpation of a mature pineal teratoma. Computed tomography images obtained at his second presentation revealed a homogeneously enhanced mass within the third ventricle. The tumor was resected and the results of a histological examination were consistent with a yolk sac tumor. After resection, the patient underwent radiation therapy followed by chemotherapy with cisplatin and etoposide but died of tumor progression 15 months after his second hospitalization.

Mixed Nonseminomatous Germ Cell Tumor Presenting as a Subcutaneous Tissue Mass

Extragonadal germ cell tumors most commonly arise in the midline of the retroperitoneum or the mediastinum. Primary tumors involving the skin are very rare. Only one case of malignant primary germ cell tumor located in the skin has been reported. We present the case of a 44-year-old white man with a primary subcutaneous mixed nonseminomatous germ cell tumor. This man had a long-lasting subcutaneous lump of the breast, which became painful. Surgery revealed 3 juxtaposed nodules. Microscopic examination showed a mixed germ cell tumor with a 90% immature teratoma component and a 10% embryonal carcinoma component. Testicular ultrasound and computed tomography of the chest, abdomen, pelvis, and brain were normal. Serum human chorionic gonadotrophin, beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin, alpha-fetoprotein, and lactate dehydrogenase were within normal ranges. A further surgical excision was performed. The patient is presently alive with no evidence of disease after a follow-up of 7 years. Review of the literature indicates that primary cutaneous extragonadal germ cell tumors usually occur as cutaneous or subcutaneous solitary nodules or as ulcerated lesions. They mainly consist of mature teratomas in children. Only 2 cases have been reported in adults.