The association between intratubular seminoma and invasive germ cell tumors

Hum Pathol. 2006 Apr;37(4):458-61. doi: 10.1016/j.humpath.2005.12.007. Epub 2006 Mar 6.

Abstract

Intratubular seminoma (ITS) has been defined as the complete filling of the seminiferous tubules with seminoma cells with no Sertoli cells present. This contrasts with intratubular germ cell neoplasia, unclassified (IGCNU), where the malignant germ cells are interspersed by Sertoli cells. We aimed to determine the relationship between these 2 entities and the association between ITS and invasive classic seminomas. We therefore examined the morphology and immunochemistry of ITS and IGCNU adjacent to germ cell tumors to differentiate the patterns, frequency, and distribution of these lesions. We found that ITS was seen in equal frequency adjacent to seminomas as it was to nonseminomas. The presence of ITS in non-seminomatous germ cell tumors suggests that it is a true in situ lesion rather than representative of intratubular spread of an existing seminoma. However, because it is not specifically associated with seminoma, we suggest that it is not useful to discriminate this lesion from IGCNU and that it merely represents an advanced form of IGCNU on the way to invasive malignancy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkaline Phosphatase
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Carcinoma in Situ / chemistry
  • Carcinoma in Situ / enzymology
  • Carcinoma in Situ / pathology*
  • GPI-Linked Proteins
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Isoenzymes / analysis
  • Isoenzymes / metabolism
  • Male
  • Seminiferous Tubules / chemistry
  • Seminiferous Tubules / enzymology
  • Seminiferous Tubules / pathology*
  • Seminoma / chemistry
  • Seminoma / pathology*
  • Sertoli Cells / chemistry
  • Sertoli Cells / enzymology
  • Sertoli Cells / pathology
  • Testicular Neoplasms / chemistry
  • Testicular Neoplasms / enzymology
  • Testicular Neoplasms / pathology*

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • GPI-Linked Proteins
  • Isoenzymes
  • Alkaline Phosphatase
  • alkaline phosphatase, placental