Embryonal carcinoma overview: Difference between revisions
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==Differentiating Embryonal carcinoma from other Diseases== | ==Differentiating Embryonal carcinoma from other Diseases== | ||
Embryonal carcinomas can be differentiated pathologically from other subtypes and variants of testicular cancer, including seminomas, [[non-seminoma]] [[germ cell]] [[tumours]], non-germ [[cell]] [[tumors]] of the [[testis]] like [[Leydig]] [[cell]] [[tumor]] and [[Sertoli]] [[cell]] [[tumor]], and secondary [[testicular]] [[tumors]] like [[lymphomas]]. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 06:21, 20 October 2021
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Embryonal carcinoma Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Case Studies |
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Embryonal carcinoma overview On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Embryonal carcinoma overview |
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Risk calculators and risk factors for Embryonal carcinoma overview |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Embryonal carcinoma is a type of testicular cancer of germ cell origin. It comprises about twenty-five percent of nonseminoma tumors of germ cell testicular tumors. Even though pure embryonal carcinomas are rare, it has a poor prognosis as it is aggressive tumor, easily metastasizes and has a high malignant potential.
Historical Perspective
There's no specific information available yet on the discovery of embryonal carcinomas. However, the discovery of human chorionic gonadotropin (hcg) and α-fetoprotein (AFP) in 1927 and 1956, respectively, led to a major leap forward in the ability to diagnose, stage, and manage testicular cancer.
Classification
Embryonal carcinomas may be classified based on whether it is in a pure form or a mixed form ( i.e. component of a mixed germ cell tumor); or based on their histological patterns, which includes solid, tubular or glandlike, and papillary.
Pathophysiology
An initiating event that causes fetal gonocytes to undergo abnormal cell division is the most widely accepted theory on the development of germ cell tumors. It is also universally acknowledged that Intratubular germ cell neoplasia of unclassified type (IGCNU) is the precursor lesion of classical seminoma and non-seminomatous germ cell tumours.
Causes
The role of specific factors in the causality of embryonal carcinomais unclear.
Risk factors
Cryptorchidism, existing contralateral testicular cancer, family history of testicular cancer, genetic and environmental factors all increase the risk of developing germ cell tumors.
Epidemiology and Demographics
The incidence of embryonal carcinoma varies among different age groups. The highest incidence occurs in persons aged 20-30 years. It is extremely rare in infants. Overall, it is one of the most common germ cell tumors.
Differentiating Embryonal carcinoma from other Diseases
Embryonal carcinomas can be differentiated pathologically from other subtypes and variants of testicular cancer, including seminomas, non-seminoma germ cell tumours, non-germ cell tumors of the testis like Leydig cell tumor and Sertoli cell tumor, and secondary testicular tumors like lymphomas.