Browse by author
Lookup NU author(s): Dr Christoph OingORCiD
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
© 2022, The Author(s). Background: Testicular germ cell tumours (GCTs) are the most frequent solid malignancy in younger males aged 15–40. The differentiation between seminomas and non-seminomas impacts prognosis, clinical management and follow-up procedures. With stage- and risk-adapted multimodal treatment approaches, GCTs have an exceptionally good prognosis. Therefore, avoiding overtreatment to reduce treatment-related long-term side effects is of utmost importance. Clinical and histopathological risk factors aid in treatment decision-making. Objectives: Discussion of (histo-)pathological characteristics that directly influence treatment decision-making by urologists and oncologists. Materials and methods: Non-systematic literature review to describe histopathological features for interdisciplinary treatment planning. Results: Key histopathological characteristics for clinicians are: (i) identification of a GCT, if necessary by 12p aberration analysis, (ii) description of the different subtypes, and (iii) risk factors, including lymphovascular invasion and/or rete testis infiltration and size of the primary tumour. Molecular pathological analyses, that is, genomic sequencing, is not part of routine diagnostics due to the lack of prognostic/predictive markers and effective targeted treatment approaches. Discussion: Detailed histopathology reporting, ideally with a synoptic template, is the basis for planning and conducting guideline-endorsed, risk-adapted, multi-disciplinary management of GCTs. Along with radiographic imaging and assessment of the serum tumour markers AFP and β‑HCG (especially in non-seminomas), histopathology is crucial to maintain success and reduce the burden of GCT treatment.
Author(s): Oing C, Fankhauser CD
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Pathologie
Year: 2022
Volume: 43
Issue: 6
Pages: 434-440
Print publication date: 01/11/2022
Online publication date: 26/09/2022
Acceptance date: 22/08/2022
Date deposited: 26/07/2024
ISSN (print): 2731-7188
ISSN (electronic): 2731-7196
Publisher: Springer Medizin
URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00292-022-01113-0
DOI: 10.1007/s00292-022-01113-0
PubMed id: 36156132
Altmetrics provided by Altmetric