Synonyms
Germinoma; Mediastinal; Primary mediastinal seminoma; Seminoma of the mediastinum
Definition
Seminoma of the mediastinum is a germ cell tumor (GCT) composed of uniform cells of a single type. These cells measure 15–25 μm and have glycogen-rich clear or slightly eosinophilic cytoplasm and regular vesicular nuclei. They are arranged into lobular nests surrounded by fibrous septa filled with lymphocytes. Microscopically it is indistinguishable from testicular seminoma or ovarian dysgerminoma.
Clinical Features
Incidence
Like all other germ cell tumors of the mediastinum, seminomas are rare tumors. Seminoma is the most common mediastinal malignant GCT, accounting for approximately one third of all tumors in this group.
Age
Like testicular seminomas, the mediastinal equivalents develop only in postpubertal males. Mediastinal seminoma has not been described in boys younger than 10 years. The mean age of patients at the time of diagnosis is 47 years.
Sex
With a few exceptions, almost...
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References and Further Reading
Moran, C. A., Suster, S., Przygodzki, R. M., et al. (1997). Primary germ cell tumors of the mediastinum. II. Mediastinal seminomas – A clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical study of 120 cases. Cancer, 80, 691–698.
Stang, A., Trabert, & Wentzensen N, et al. (1973–2007). Gonadal and extragonadal germ cell tumors in the United States. International Journal of Andrology, 35, 616–625.
Weidner, N. (1999). Germ-cell tumors of the mediastinum. Seminars in Diagnostic Pathology, 16, 42–50.
Weissferdt, A., Kalhor, N., & Moran, C. A. (2014). Combined thymoma-thymic seminoma. Report of 2 cases of a heretofore unreported association. Human Pathology, 45, 2168–2172.
Williamson, S. R., & Ulbright, T. M. (2014). Germ cell tumors of the mediastinum. In A. M. Marchevsky & M. R. Wick (Eds.), Pathology of the mediastinum (pp. 146–168). New York: Cambridge University Press.
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Damjanov, I., Mrklic, I. (2018). Seminoma, Mediastinal. In: Allen, T.C., Suster, S. (eds) Pathology of the Pleura and Mediastinum. Encyclopedia of Pathology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-66796-6_50
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-66796-6_50
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