The Histopathological Spectrum of Extracranial Germ Cell Tumors in a Tertiary Care Center of Western India

Abstract

Introduction: Germ cell tumors (GCTs) arise from the malignant transformation of primordial germ cells. GCTs can be benign or malignant. GCTs are mostly gonadal but can be extragonadal. This study comprised of a histological spectrum of extracranial GCTs and their correlation with clinical findings such as age, sex, and site with the histological type of GCT to know the overall incidence of GCT in our institute. Methods: A 3-year retrospective study was carried out in the department of pathology. Of 16,436 surgical specimens, 56 cases were of GCTs. The detailed clinical history including age, sex, and anatomic site was taken into account. Routine hematoxylin and eosin staining was used. All the data were tabulated, and a clinicopathological correlation was attempted and percentages calculated for different variables. Results: Of 56 cases of GCTs, 33 (59%) were females and 23 (41%) were males. GCT was commonly seen in children and adolescents (32 cases). Maximum (65.35%) cases were seen below the age of 20 years. The most common sites for GCTs were ovary, eye, and adnexa (19.64%) followed by sacrococcyx (12.5%). Dermoid cyst (64.28%) was the most common GCT, followed by mature teratoma (23.21%) and immature teratoma (7.14%). Conclusion: GCTs can be gonadal or extragonadal. Extracranial GCTs are rare. Childhood extragonadal GCTs are more common than adult gonadal GCTs. In children, sacrococcyx, and in the adult, ovary were the most common site of GCT. Overall, dermoid cyst was the most common tumor involving face and ovary.