Incidence patterns and trends of malignant gonadal and extragonadal germ cell tumors in Germany, 1998–2008

Abstract

Background Gonadal (GGCT) and extragonal germ cell tumors [GCT (EGCT)] are thought to originate from primordial germ cells. In contrast to well reported population-based data of GGCTs in males, analyses of GGCTs in females and EGCTs in both sexes remain limited. Methods In a pooling project of nine population-based cancer registries in Germany of the years 1998–2008, 16,883 GCTs and their topographical sites were identified using ICD-O morphology and topography for those aged 15 years and older. We estimated age-specific and age-standardized incidence rates. Results Among males, the incidence of testicular GCTs increased over time. In contrast, there was no increase in the incidence of EGCTs. Among females, rates of ovarian GCTs were stable, while rates of EGCTs declined over time. The most frequent extragonadal sites were mediastinum among males and placenta among females. Conclusions Our results underline different incidence trends and distinct age-specific incidence patterns of GGCTs and EGCTs, as reported recently by several population-based registries. The differences suggest that GGCTs and EGCTs may have different etiologies.

An Unusual Cause of Headache and Sudden Death of a Young Sailor—Postmortem Computed Tomography and Histological Findings of a Fatal Retroperitoneal Malignant Mixed Germ Cell Tumor

“…Sudden deaths due to extragonadal germ cell tumors are very rare. To begin with, extragonadal germ cell tumors (EGCTs) only represent 1.6–5% of all germ cell tumors . They occur along the median axis of the body with the anterior mediastinum being the most frequent extragonadal site (50–70%), followed by the retroperitoneum (30–40%) .…”

“…The majority (one‐third) of these tumors are soft tissue sarcomas—predominantly liposarcoma and leiomyosarcoma Extragonadal germ cell tumors are rare and only represent 1.6–5% of all germ cell tumors . The most common site of extragonadal manifestation is in the anterior mediastinum (50–70%) followed by the retroperitoneum (30–40%) . Sudden deaths due to undetected mediastinal germ cell tumors are rare .…”

Mediastinal Germ Cell Tumors

“…The incidence rates are 1.3/ 1 million for white males and 0.1/1 million for white females [13]. An epidemiologic study from Germany reported slightly lower incidence rates of mediastinal seminomas, non-seminomatous GCT in males, and non-dysgerminomas in females of 0.11, 0.2, and 0.03 per 1 million people, respectively [14]. In adults, PMGCTs occur predominantly in men; only approximately 9-14 % arise in women [13,[15][16][17].…”

Disease characteristics and survival outcomes of extragonadal primary germ cell tumour in two Canadian tertiary cancer centres

“…1 EGCTs often occur in the midline of the body, with the three most common sites in the anterior mediastinum, retroperitoneum, and pineal gland. 1,2 Epidemiologic studies suggest that although similar in morphologic appearance, the embryonic and genetic initiating events of EGCTs may be distinct from the gonadal germ cell tumours (GGCTs). [1][2][3][4] EGCTs, especially of the mediastinal origin, are often marked by inferior survival outcomes compared to GGCTs, as well as hematologic neoplasms (acute myeloid leukemia and malignant histiocytosis) and systemic mast cell disease that are unrelated to treatment effect.…”

“…1,2 Epidemiologic studies suggest that although similar in morphologic appearance, the embryonic and genetic initiating events of EGCTs may be distinct from the gonadal germ cell tumours (GGCTs). [1][2][3][4] EGCTs, especially of the mediastinal origin, are often marked by inferior survival outcomes compared to GGCTs, as well as hematologic neoplasms (acute myeloid leukemia and malignant histiocytosis) and systemic mast cell disease that are unrelated to treatment effect. 5,6 The usual treatment for EGCTs has been platinum-based chemotherapy regimen, such as bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatin (BEP), followed by surgical resection of residual tumours, if feasible.…”