Mixed germ cell sex cord-stromal tumours of the testis

On the histogenesis of mixed germ cell-sex cord stromal tumour of the gonads

“…In the authors' response, Michal et al 18 noted that the immunohistochemistry of the germ cells in testicular MGC-SCST, although consistent with that of non-neoplastic germ cells, was also similar to that observed in spermatocytic tumour and presented additional illustrations of one of their testicular cases showing more clearly the variation in nuclear size of the germ cells and the presence of atypical mitotic figures. They concluded that the germ cells in testicular MGC-SCST are neoplastic, rather than being entrapped.…”

“…Michal et al 12 first noted variation in nuclear size of the germ cells in their three cases of testicular MGC-SCST and considered the disparity similar to that seen in spermatocytic tumour. The germ cells in the case illustrated by Michal et al 18 in their reply to the editor showed distinct variation in nuclear size, atypical mitotic figures and high MIB1 expression. The latter two features would not be expected in non-transformed spermatogonia.…”

“…With regard to testicular MGC-SCSTs, the germ cells in our cases resembled spermatogonia, thus confirming an observation first reported by Ulbright et al 7. The germ cells of testicular MGC-SCST illustrated by Michal et al 12 18 were said to resemble those of spermatocytic tumour by histology and immunohistochemistry, and those in the case reported by Hettinger et al 13 resembled those of seminoma. The germ cells of ovarian MGC-SCST resemble those of dysgerminoma in the majority of cases; however, we believe that in some cases the germ cells are low-grade.…”