Histopathological Analysis of Seminomatous and Non-Seminomatous Germ Cell Tumors of the Testis

Introduction: Approximately 90% of testicular tumors originate from germ cells. Tumor size, lymphovascular invasion, spermatic cord invasion, epididymal invasion, tunica vaginalis and hilar soft tissue invasion are important parameters for staging and prognosis in germ cell tumors of the testis and these parameters are related to prognosis. Materials and methods: Therefore, 80 cases diagnosed with testicular germ cell tumors were retrospectively analyzed. The patients’ age, tumor size, invasion characteristics, tumor focus numbers, tumor subtypes and percentage amounts of the components were documented. Results: Of the cases, 40 (50%) were seminoma, 32 (40%) were mixed germ cell tumors, 6 (7,5%) were embryonal carcinomas and 2 (2,5%) were postpubertal type teratomas. Of these 80 cases, 48,75% had rete testicular invasion, 5% had epididymal invasion, 18,75% had hilar soft tissue invasion, 10% had spermatic cord invasion, 52,5% had lymphovascular invasion, 3,75% had tunica vaginalis invasion and 2,5% had spermatic cord surgical margin invasion. A statistically significant correlation was found between tumor size and all invasion sites. The correlation between yolk sac tumor component and epididymis, hilar soft tissue, spermatic cord and lymphovascular invasions was found to be significant. There was also a statistically significant correlation between embryonal carcinoma component and epididymis and spermatic cord invasions. Conclusion: It is important to evaluate macroscopically and microscopically the tumor size and invasion sites is which are determinants of prognosis in germ cell tumors of the testis. Additionally, it should be kept in mind that tumor subtypes may also be a factor determining the extent and site of invasion.