Testicular yolk sac tumour
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At the time the article was created Praveen Jha had no recorded disclosures.
View Praveen Jha's current disclosuresAt the time the article was last revised Arlene Campos had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.
View Arlene Campos's current disclosures- Testicular endodermal sinus tumour
- Testicular yolk sac tumours
- Testicular yolk sac tumor
- Testicular yolk sac tumors
- Testicular endodermal sinus tumours
- Testicular endodermal sinus tumor
- Testicular endodermal sinus tumors
- Yolk sac tumour of the testis
- Yolk sac tumour of the testes
- Yolk sac tumours of the testis
- Yolk sac tumors of the testis
Testicular yolk sac tumour, also known as endodermal sinus tumour of the testis, is the most common childhood testicular tumour (80%), with most cases occurring before the age of two years 1. In adults, pure yolk sac tumour is extremely rare, however mixed germ cell tumour is commonly seen.
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Pathology
Aetiology
Totipotent cells, which later form extraembryonic fetal membranes, give rise to yolk sac tumours.
Features
Perivascular structures called Schiller-Duval bodies can be found in 50% of tumours and are pathognomonic.
Markers
AFP (alpha fetoprotein) is elevated in >90% cases of yolk sac tumour. Macroscopically, the testis is replaced by a gelatinous mass. Microscopically, a positive reaction for AFP is seen in tumour cells.
Radiographic features
Prospective radiologic characterisation of yolk sac tumour is difficult, however a heterogeneous testicular mass favours non-seminomatous germ cell tumour (NSGCT), and at age <2 years, yolk sac tumour is the favoured diagnosis.
Ultrasound
Diffusely enlarged heterogeneous testis.
MRI
Heterogeneous testicular mass lesion with post-contrast heterogeneous enhancement, with areas of haemorrhage/necrosis 2.
Treatment and prognosis
If the tumour is restricted to the testis, and if the serum AFP is not elevated, orchidectomy is the preferred treatment, with close follow-up. If relapse occurs, chemotherapy is the treatment of choice. The lungs are the most common site of recurrence.
See also
Quiz questions
References
- 1. Woodward PJ, Sohaey R, O'donoghue MJ et-al. From the archives of the AFIP: tumors and tumorlike lesions of the testis: radiologic-pathologic correlation. Radiographics. 22 (1): 189-216. Radiographics (full text) - Pubmed citation
- 2. Tsili AC, Tsampoulas C, Giannakopoulos X et-al. MRI in the histologic characterization of testicular neoplasms. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2007;189 (6): W331-7. doi:10.2214/AJR.07.2267 - Pubmed citation
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