Beyond The Abstract - Extragonadal Retroperitoneal Germ Cell Tumor: Primary Versus Metastases?

Main Category: Urology / Nephrology
Also Included In: Cancer / Oncology;  Prostate / Prostate Cancer
Article Date: 22 Oct 2007 - 0:00 PDT

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UroToday.com - Primary extragonadal germ cell tumors (EGCT) are rare and account a small percentage, 2% to 5%, of all germ cell tumors. In adults, these tumors have been reported in many sites, but they arise mostly along the sagital midline. The histogenetic origin of primary extragonadal germ cell tumors is still a matter of debate and it remains uncertain whether such tumors develop primary at extragonadal sites or represent metastases of a primary testicular tumor.

Previous studies of retroperitoneal germ cell tumors have showed intratubular germ cell neoplasia (IGCN), testicular scarring or an invasive testicular tumor, suggesting that the testicular tumor was primary. Therefore, it may be important to exclude testicular pathology when treating a primary retroperitoneal germ cell tumor.

Written by David Parada D. MD, MSC, PhD, as part of Beyond the Abstract on UroToday.com. This initiative offers a method of publishing for the professional urology community. Authors are given an opportunity to expand on the circumstances, limitations etc... of their research by referencing the published abstract.

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