OCT 4 immunohistochemistry in postpubertal cryptorchidism

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Patients with cryptorchidism are at an increased risk for germ cell testicular cancer. OCT 4 has been shown to be a sensitive and specific marker for some types of germ cell testicular cancer. We undertook this study to establish whether OCT 4 immunohistochemistry is a useful tool in the pathohistologic evaluation of postpubertal patients with cryptorchidism. Seventeen postpubertal patients underwent orchidectomy for cryptorchidism at our center since 1997. Immunohistochemical staining with OCT 4 was performed on these samples. Characteristic OCT 4 nuclear staining was positive in two patients. One patient was correctly diagnosed on previous pathohistological evaluation, while OCT4 immunohistochemical staining revealed previously unidentified intratubular germ cell neoplasia in the other patient. OCT 4 immunohistochemistry can be useful in diagnosing a testicular germ cell tumor in patients with cryptorchidism. If we consider a low number of postpubertal patients with cryptorchidism a benefit of immunohistochemical staining with OCT4, this could favor the use of OCT 4 staining in work-up of cryptorchidism.</jats:p>

OCT4 Immunohistochemistry after Staging Laparoscopic Retroperitoneal Lymphadenectomy for Testicular Tumor

“…This is useful not only in basic research but also in clinical practice. It has been used to help detect IGCNU in testicular biopsies ( 12 ) and it has proven its usefulness in detecting testicular germ cell tumors in patients with cryptorchidism ( 7 ). Our research proved its value in detecting retroperitoneal NSGCT metastases.…”

“…Upon approval by the Zagreb University Hospital Centre Ethics Committee, we reassessed the archived materials of dissected lymph nodes and additional OCT4 immunohistochemical staining was done in patients with negative hematoxylin and eosin lymph nodes. The OCT4 staining and material evaluation were performed according to the previously published method ( 7 ). The study was conducted following the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.…”

“…OCT4 is a nuclear transcription factor expressed in early embryonic and germ cells. It has been utilized successfully in detecting neoplastic pluripotent germ cells, specifically seminoma, embryonal carcinoma and intratubular germ cell neoplasia, unclassified (IGCNU) ( 7 ). The aim of this study was to evaluate OCT4 immunohistochemistry in the histopathologic diagnosis of metastases in hematoxylin and eosin negative lymph nodes after staging L-RPLND.…”