What are germ cell tumors?

germ cell tumors (GCT) are a neoplasm or abnormal cell growth that results in tissue weight that are derived from germ cells, gamet or sex cells, namely eggs and sperm. GCTs are most often created in ovaries or testicles known together as gonades, but may also occur during embryonic development, resulting in a congenital defect. This second type of tumor can affect the head, neck, chest or pelvis. Like other tumors, germ cell tumors are treated either by chemotherapy, if they are malignant, surgery or combinations.

germ cell tumors are responsible for about one to three percent of ovarian cancer and about 95% of the testis cancer. About 30% of ovarian tumors are tumors of germ cells, but most of them are benign teratomas rather than malignant cancerous tumors. Most germ cell tumors outside the gonade are also teratomas.

teratomas are encapsulated tumors characterizedThe components of the three layers of germs, The Endoderm, the Mesoderm and Ectoderm, which usually arise during the growth of the embryo, lead to all mature tissues and organs. Teratomas may include many different types of body tissue, including teeth, bones, hair and tissues that usually occur in different organs such as brain or lungs. Although most of them are benign, there are malignant teratomas.

germ cell tumors are characterized by their histology or microscopic anatomy, regardless of their location in the body. They can be germinomatous (GGCT), also called SGCT (SGCT), or they can be nongerminomatous (NGGCT), also called non -Seminomatous (NSGCT). GGCT is also called germinomas and are characterized by non -differentiation, which means that cells have a uniform microscopic appearance that is not associated with any type of mature tissue. Germinomy ovaries are called dysgermminom, behindThe testicles are called seminoma. Germinomas are a malignant and most common cause of ovarian cancer and the second most common cause of testicular cancer.

Nggcts come in many varieties. In addition to the above teratomas, embryonic cancer, endodermal sinus tumor or yolk tumor, choriocarcinoma, polyembryoma, gonadoblastoma or mixed may be. Embryonic carcinoma, endodermal sinus tumor and choriocarcinoma are malignant. On the other hand, endodermal sinus tumor is usually present at birth and has a very good prognosis. Choriocarcinoma usually affects the placenta of pregnant women and can spread rapidly to the lungs; It is the most effective type of germ cell tumor.

Polyembryoma and gonadoblastoma are relatively rare. Mixed germ cell tumors are any mixture of other types discussed and are always malignant. Some common forms are a teratoma mixed with endodermal sinus tumor and teratocarcinoma, which is a mixture of teratoma with both embryonic vehiclesOMA or choriocarcinoma.