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Cureus 2022 Apr 25;14(4):e24472. Epub 2022 Apr 25.

Department of Pathology, St. John's Medical College Hospital, Bangalore, IND.

Primary mediastinal mixed germ cell tumors (PMMGCTs) are rare, aggressive tumors that, at diagnosis, are typically metastatic. A 22-year-old male with a three-month history of cough, chest pain, and fever presented to our outpatient department. Clinical examination showed reduced left-sided air entry in the left hemithorax, with a non-palpable left testis. Read More

Front Surg 2022 4;9:912351. Epub 2022 May 4.

Thoracic Surgery Unit, Cardiothoracic Department, S. Maria della Misericordia University Hospital, Udine, Italy.

Background: Chylothorax is a relatively rare complication after surgery of the mediastinum. The occurrence and the results of surgical treatment of this condition are difficult to foresee due to the wide heterogeneity in thoracic duct anatomy.

Case Summary: We report two cases of postoperative chylothorax treated with ligation by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Read More

World J Urol 2022 May 12. Epub 2022 May 12.

Department of Oncology, Hematology, BMT Plus Section Pneumology, University Cancer Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.

Purpose: To present the current evidence and the development of studies in recent years on the management of extragonadal germ cell tumors (EGCT).

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in Medline and the Cochrane Library. Studies within the search period (January 2010 to February 2021) that addressed the classification, diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and follow-up of extragonadal tumors were included. Read More

Cancer Diagn Progn 2022 May-Jun;2(3):352-359. Epub 2022 May 3.

Department of Integrative Cancer Therapy and Urology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa, Japan.

Background/aim: Primary mediastinal non-seminomatous germ cell tumors (PMNSGCTs) are occasionally complicated by a hematologic malignancy, as with somatic-type malignant tumors called germ cell tumors with somatic-type malignancy (GCTSTM) and are known to have a poor prognosis.

Patients And Methods: Data obtained between September 1997 and February 2020 for patients with mediastinal germ cell tumor at our institution were retrospectively analyzed. Key outcome measures included survival rates and the clinical features of non-seminoma cases. Read More

Cureus 2022 Mar 6;14(3):e22885. Epub 2022 Mar 6.

Hematology and Medical Oncology, HCA Houston Healthcare Kingwood Medical Center, Kingwood, USA.

A 25-year-old male presented to our hospital with two months of progressively worsening left arm swelling, intermittent left-sided chest pressure, and a painless right testicular mass. CT of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis revealed a large mediastinal mass, multiple lung nodules, and several large right testicular nodules. The patient underwent a CT-guided biopsy of his right lung nodule, followed by a radical right inguinal orchiectomy. Read More

Radiat Oncol 2022 Mar 26;17(1):58. Epub 2022 Mar 26.

Department of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.

Background: The low incidence of primary mediastinal seminomas has precluded the development of clinical trials on mediastinal seminomas. We investigated the clinicopathologic characteristics, prognosis of patients with primary mediastinal seminomas as well as the efficiency of nonsurgical treatments compared with treatments containing surgery.

Methods: We retrospectively collected data on the clinicopathologic characteristics, treatments, toxicities, and survival of 27 patients from a single center between 2000 and 2018. Read More

Mediastinum 2022 25;6. Epub 2022 Mar 25.

Service of medical oncology, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, EOC, Bellinzona, Switzerland.

Objective: In this review, we summarize the current state of the art of primary mediastinal germ cell tumours (PMGCTs) and we highlight challenges and future research directions for this disease.

Background: PMGCTs account for 1-3% of all germ cell malignancies and for 15% of adult anterior mediastinal cancers. In 60-70% of cases PMGCTs are represented by nonseminomatous germ cell tumours (GCTs), and in 30-40% of cases by seminomas. Read More

NMC Case Rep J 2021 16;8(1):645-650. Epub 2021 Sep 16.

Department of Neurosurgery, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan.

Although the synchronous occurrence of testicular seminoma and systemic sarcoidosis has been reported, that of intracranial germinoma and systemic sarcoidosis is unknown. A 26-year-old man presented with symptoms of panhypopituitarism and consciousness disturbance. Imaging demonstrated a large nodule in the upper right lung field and swelling of multiple bilateral pulmonary and mediastinal lymph nodes in addition to the bifocal pineal and suprasellar tumors with obstructive hydrocephalus. Read More

Front Oncol 2021 3;11:758496. Epub 2022 Jan 3.

Research Department, National Cancer Institute, Bogota, Colombia.

Purpose: Mediastinal germ cell tumors (GCT) are rare neoplasms associated with poor survival prognosis. Due to their low incidence, limited information is available about this disease in South America. The objective of this study is to report the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with mediastinal GCT in a cancer center in Colombia. Read More

Monaldi Arch Chest Dis 2021 Oct 11;92(2). Epub 2021 Oct 11.

Division of Thoracic Surgery, Ospedale Maggiore della Carità, Novara; Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara.

Primary mediastinal germ cell tumors are a rare finding, and one third of them are seminomas. Seminomas are found in the anterior mediastinum, whereas they are extremely rare within the posterior compartment. Most clinicians would not consider a primary seminoma in the differential diagnosis of a posterior mediastinal mass, as only two cases have been reported in literature. Read More

J Pathol 2022 01 29;256(1):38-49. Epub 2021 Oct 29.

Department of Biomedicine & Health Sciences, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Germ cell tumors (GCTs) originate during the histogenesis of primordial germ cells to mature gametes. Previous studies identified five histogenic mechanisms in ovarian mature teratomas (type I: failure of meiosis I; type II: failure of meiosis II; type III: duplication of the genome of a mature gamete; type IV: no meiosis; and type V: fusion of two different ova), but those of other GCTs remain elusive. In this study, we analyzed 84 GCTs of various pathologic types to identify the histogenesis using single-nucleotide polymorphism array by analyzing copy-neutral loss of heterozygosity (CN-LOH) and copy number alterations (CNAs). Read More

Histopathology 2022 Jan 16;80(2):381-396. Epub 2021 Nov 16.

Institute of Pathology, University Medical Centre Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.

Aims: Primary mediastinal germ cell tumours (PMGCTs) are rare mediastinal neoplasms, and their diagnosis can be challenging, owing to small biopsy samples. The aim of this study was to develop a diagnostic algorithm using immunohistochemical staining, with a focus on novel markers, and molecular analysis of isochromosome 12p [i(12p)].

Methods And Results: Paraffin-embedded tissues of 32 mediastinal tumours were analysed with immunohistochemical staining for sal-like transcription factor 4 (SALL4), Lin-28 homologue A (LIN28), octamer-binding transcription factor 3/4 (OCT3/4), D2-40, cluster of differentiation 117 (CD117), sex-determining region Y-box 17, sex-determining region Y-box 2 (SOX2), cluster of differentiation 30, the β-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG), GATA-binding protein 3 (GATA3), forkhead box protein A2 (FOXA2), glypican-3 (GPC3), α-fetoprotein (AFP), terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT), nuclear protein of the testis (NUT), and pan-cytokeratin. Read More

Diagn Pathol 2021 Aug 21;16(1):76. Epub 2021 Aug 21.

Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.

Background: First described in 1955 Primary mediastinal seminomas are rare. Only 1-4% of mediastinal tumours are germ cell tumors; majority of which are teratomas. They typically present in men aged between 20 and 40 years. Read More

J Neurooncol 2021 Aug 16;154(1):121-130. Epub 2021 Jul 16.

Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St. SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.

Introduction: Germ cell tumors (GCTs) are uncommon neoplasms predominantly arising in midline tissues. The prognostic significance of histopathology in predicting metastatic GCT behavior is poorly understood.

Methods: Multicenter international cohort study including 29 patients with GCTs metastatic to brain were retrospectively investigated (18 patients from Mayo Clinic and 11 patients from the intracranial germ cell tumor genome analysis consortium in Japan). Read More

J Clin Sleep Med 2021 12;17(12):2557-2560

IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.

Narcolepsy type 1 results from probable autoimmune disruption of hypothalamic hypocretinergic neurons. Secondary narcolepsy can occur as a result of other conditions affecting the central nervous system, including limbic paraneoplastic encephalitis. We report the case of a 19-year-old patient presenting with acute-onset diurnal hypersomnolence, hyperphagia, sexual dysfunction, and psychiatric disturbances. Read More

Asia Pac J Clin Oncol 2022 Apr 21;18(2):e23-e31. Epub 2021 Jun 21.

Department of Medical Oncology, Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Aim: To evaluate disease presentation, treatment practices, and outcomes of patients with germ cell tumor (GCT) treated in a high-volume cancer center in Australia.

Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of 609 patients diagnosed with GCT in the Sydney West Cancer Network between 1990 and 2013. Cause and date of death, and second malignancy information was sourced from The Centre for Health Record Linkage. Read More

J Oncol 2021 19;2021:9048375. Epub 2021 May 19.

Department of Biotherapy, West China Hospital and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.

Objectives: Primary mediastinal seminoma (PMS) was an uncommon carcinoma, and the appropriate treatment remained controversial due to the low incidence. We aimed to investigate the demographics and tumor biological characteristics to determine the potential effective treatment and predict the prognosis.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with PMS were selected between 1975 and 2016 from Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Read More

Ann Diagn Pathol 2021 Aug 26;53:151763. Epub 2021 May 26.

Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tata Memorial Hospital, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

Background: Primary mediastinal germ tumours (PMGCT) constitute, a mere 3-4% of all germ cell tumours (GCT). Although they account for approximately 16% of mediastinal tumours in adults and 19-25% in children as per western literature, there is hardly any large series on PMGCT reported from the Indian subcontinent.

Design: We have retrospectively analysed clinicopathological features of 98 cases of PMGCT diagnosed over 10 years (2010-2019) from a tertiary-care oncology centre. Read More

Adv Anat Pathol 2021 Sep;28(5):335-350

Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX.

Mediastinal germ cell tumors (MGCTs) are the most common extragonadal germ cell tumors (GCTs) and most often arise in the anterior mediastinum with a male predilection. MGCTs also have a predilection for patients with Klinefelter syndrome and possibly other genetic conditions. MGCTs, as GCTs at other extragonadal sites, are thought to arise from germ cells improperly retained during migration along the midline during embryogenesis. Read More

Virchows Arch 2021 Jul 24;479(1):215-220. Epub 2021 May 24.

Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto, Japan.

Multilocular thymic cyst (MTC) and germ cell tumors are common diseases that impact the mediastinum. Correctly diagnosing these diseases can be difficult because several other conditions can mimic them. We report a male patient with MTC associated with mediastinal seminoma. Read More

Cureus 2021 Apr 16;13(4):e14527. Epub 2021 Apr 16.

Oncology, Albert Einstein Medical Center, St. Barnabas Healthcare System, Bronx, USA.

Mediastinal seminomas are rare neoplasms that can be found incidentally in asymptomatic patients. However, a few cases may present in the emergency room with mild to severe respiratory and/or cardiovascular symptoms. This can occur when the tumor grows large enough to cause compression and obstruction of the various structures present in the thorax. Read More

Ecancermedicalscience 2021 11;15:1186. Epub 2021 Feb 11.

Department of Medical Oncology, Christian Medical College and Hospital Vellore, Vellore 632004, India.

Purpose: Primary mediastinal germ cell tumours (PMGCTs) are rare; with limited data available about their outcomes and optimal treatment in the low middle income countries setting. We studied the clinical profile of patients with PMGCT treated at our centre in order to estimate their survival outcomes and to identify prognostic factors affecting the same.

Patients And Methods: Fifty-seven patients with PMGCTs treated between April 2001 and June 2019 were included. Read More

Ann Hematol 2021 May 24;100(5):1337-1339. Epub 2021 Mar 24.

Department of Medicine, Professorial Block, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China.

Curr Oncol 2020 12 8;28(1):78-85. Epub 2020 Dec 8.

Department of Surgery, Urology Division, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5W9, Canada.

Extragonadal germ cell tumors account for 2-5.7% of germ cell tumors (GCTs). Of these, primary mediastinal GCTs (PMGCTs) are responsible for 16-36% of cases. Read More

Thorac Cancer 2021 03 27;12(6):807-813. Epub 2021 Jan 27.

Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan.

Background: This study was performed to clarify the treatment outcome of patients with primary mediastinal germ cell tumors (PMGCTs), focusing on the clinical manifestations and management during definitive therapy and long-term follow-up.

Methods: In this study, we retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with PMGCTs treated at Shinshu University School of Medicine, and examined the clinical profiles and treatment outcomes of 22 patients (mean age of 29 years) with primary mediastinal GCTs treated at our hospital between 1983 and 2019.

Results: Five patients were diagnosed with pure seminoma and 17 had nonseminomatous GCT. Read More

Medicina (Kaunas) 2020 Oct 25;56(11). Epub 2020 Oct 25.

Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy.

Mutations in genes encoding one of the subunits of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) are involved in pheochromocytoma (PHEO) and paraganglioma (PGL) development. Over the last few years, such mutations have also been associated with non-chromaffin tumors. However, immunohistochemistry (IHC) on the tumor tissue and a study on the loss of heterozygosity (LOH) aimed at demonstrating the pathogenic role of genes have only been employed in a few cases. Read More

Cancer Rep (Hoboken) 2021 02 8;4(1):e1306. Epub 2020 Oct 8.

Department of Radiodiagnosis, Tata Medical Center, Kolkata, India.

Background: Malignant mediastinal germ cell tumor (MGCT) is rare and has poor outcomes even after multimodality treatment. Data from resource-poor countries are scarce in the literature.

Aims: To evaluate the clinicopathologic features and treatment outcome of primary malignant MGCT at our center. Read More

Cancer Invest 2021 Feb 6;39(2):195-201. Epub 2020 Nov 6.

Institut d'Hématologie et d'Oncologie Pédiatrique, Lyon, France.

Background: Extragonadal germ cell tumors (GCTs) are thought to arise as a result of local transformation of primordial gonadal cells (PGCs) that become misplaced during embryogenesis. With the exception of bilateral testis tumors, metachronous GCT (i.e. Read More

J Ultrasound Med 2021 May 22;40(5):1023-1030. Epub 2020 Sep 22.

Zentrum für Innere Medizin, Interdisziplinäres Ultraschallzentrum Universitätsklinikum Gießen und Marburg, Standort Marburg und Philipps-Universität Marburg, Baldingerstraße, Germany.

Objectives: To determine contrast enhancing features of mediastinal masses (ML) using transcutaneous contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS).

Methods: Retrospective analysis of n = 58 patients with histologically confirmed ML, which were examined in the period from October 2005 to February 2018 using transcutaneous B-mode ultrasound and CEUS. In n = 29 (50%) histological confirmation was performed by ultrasound guided core-needle biopsy. Read More