Non-seminomatous germ cell tumours

The group of non-seminomatous germ cell tumors can be morphologically and therapeutically distinguished from the group of seminomas. The group of non-seminomatous germ cell tumors includes embryonal carcinoma, yolk sac tumor, choriocarcinoma and teratoma. All entities can occur rarely in pure form or much more commonly in mixed germ cell tumors consisting of more than one histological type. The non-seminomatous germ cell tumors are also characterized by the appearance of an isochromosome 12p, i(12p) and arise from a common precursor lesion called intratubular germ cell neoplasia of the unclassified type (ITGCNU). Various immunohistochemical markers are used to distinguish the different tumor components in addition to morphological characteristics.