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Mediastinal Germ Cell Tumors

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Mediastinal Lesions

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Abstract

Primary mediastinal germ cell tumors (PMGCT) are rare neoplasms that are predominantly located in the prevascular mediastinum. Although the morphologic, immunophenotypic, serologic, and molecular findings are similar to their gonadal counterpart, the prognosis of some of these tumors is different in the mediastinum. For instance, in contrast to immature teratomas in the gonads, immature teratomas in the mediastinum can behave in an aggressive fashion. Klinefelter syndrome has been associated with PMGCT. Furthermore, the location in the mediastinum raises a distinct differential diagnosis of germ cell tumors. Moreover, the expression of certain germ cell tumor markers by mimickers of these tumors in the mediastinum can pose a pitfall. However, the diagnosis and subtyping of PMGCT is important as prognosis and patient management differ between PMGCT types and between PMGCT and its mimickers in the mediastinum. This chapter will focus on morphologic features of PMGCT and what findings might be helpful to distinguish these tumors from other tumors in the mediastinum. Furthermore, the chapter will highlight ancillary studies that can be useful to distinguish PMGCT from its mimickers in that location.

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  1. Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic Rochester, 200 First ST SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA

    Anja C. Roden

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  1. Department of Pathology, Mayo Clinic School of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, USA

    Anja C. Roden

  2. Department of Pathology, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, New York, USA

    Andre L. Moreira

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Roden, A.C. (2017). Mediastinal Germ Cell Tumors. In: Roden, A., Moreira, A. (eds) Mediastinal Lesions. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-48379-5_6

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