Pathology of the Testis Flashcards
How common is testicular cancer?
1 - 1%
2 - 10%
3 - 20%
4 - 40%
1 - 1%
- accounts for 1% of cancers in men
- most common malignancy in men between 15-40 in western populations
Although the aetiology of testicular cancer is not completely understood, intratesticular germ cell neoplasia (ITGCN), also known as carcinoma in situ (CIS) is the accepted precursor to testicular cancer. What is ITGCN?
- germ cell is any cell that gives rise to gametes (sex cells)
- uncontrolled, abnormal growth of cells or tissues in the testes
- generally occurs in the post pubertal period
What is carcinoma in situ?
- cancer in which abnormal cells have not spread beyond where they first formed
Cryptorchidism is when the testes do not descend down into the scrotum. Is this a major risk factor for testicular cancer?
- yes
- most important risk factor
- increases risk by 4-8 time greater risk
Cryptorchidism is when the testes do not descend down into the scrotum. Where are are the testes most likely to be located in this condition?
1 - abdominal
2 - inguinal canal
3 - bladder
4 - high scrotal
1 - abdominal =15%
2 - inguinal canal = 25%
4 - high scrotal = 65%
What does hypospadias mean?
- hypo = below
- spadias = slit
- urethra develops below where it normally exits the penis
Hypospadias is when the urethra develops below where it normally exits the penis. What are the 3 parts of the penis called where the urethra could exit the penis?
1 - anterior = 50% of cases
2 - middle = 30% of cases
3 - posterior = 20% of cases
How can patients present with testicular cancer?
- painless swelling in testis (10% present with pain in scrotum)
- dull ache or heaviness in lower abdomen
- back pain – sign of lymph node extension of disease
- cough, chest pain, SOB – suggestion of chest metastases
- gynaecomastia – choriocarcinoma secreting beta-HCG
Label the histology slide of the seminiferous tubules using the labels below”
seminiferous tubules spermatocyte leydig cells sertoli cells spermatid spermatogonium
1 = spermatocyte 2 = spermatogonium 3 = leydig cells 4 = sertoli cells 5 = seminiferous tubules 6 = spermatid
What are gonocytes?
- precursor cells of germ cells which will produce gametes
Cryptorchidism. which is where the testes have failed to descend is a common cause of testicular cancer which can then lead to hypogonadism. How can this then lead to testicular cancer?
1 - testes are exposed to trauma
2 - testes environmental conditions (temperature)
3 - poor blood supply
4 - vas deferens is blocked
2 - testes environmental conditions (temperature)
- poor development of somatic cell in development (sertoli and leydig cells)
- gonocytes (precursor of germ cells) have delayed development
- delayed gonocyte development causes genetic abnormalities
- gonocyte abnormalities can then lead to testicular cancer
What is orchidopexy?
- surgical procedure that moves an undescended testicle into the scrotum
Is family history a risk factor for testicular cancer?
- yes
- increases risk by 4-8 fold
What are the 2 main classification groups of testicular cancer?
1 - germ cell tumours (95% of testicular cancer)
2 - sex cord stromal tumours (5%)
- GCT = germ cell tumours
- GCNIS = Germ cell neoplasia in situ
There are the 2 main classification groups of testicular cancer:
1 - germ cell tumours (GCT) (95% of testicular cancer)
2 - sex cord stromal tumours (5%)
GCT can be further subdivided into Germ cell neoplasia in situ (GCNIS) and non-GCNIS. What is germ cell neoplasia?
- precursor lesion for testicular germ cell tumours
- germ cells undergo neoplasia, which then leads to tumour formation
There are the 2 main classification groups of testicular cancer:
1 - germ cell tumours (GCT) (95% of testicular cancer)
2 - sex cord stromal tumours (5%)
GCT can be further subdivided into Germ cell neoplasia in situ (GCNIS) and non-GCNIS. GCNIS is a precursor lesion for testicular germ cell tumours, where germ cells undergo neoplasia, which then leads to tumour formation. There are 2 subcategories of GCNIS; seminoma and non-seminomas. What are these?
- seminoma = germ cells proliferate uncontrollably
- non seminoma = begin in sperm
There are the 2 main classification groups of testicular cancer:
1 - germ cell tumours (GCT) (95% of testicular cancer)
2 - sex cord stromal tumours (5%)
GCT can be further subdivided into Germ cell neoplasia in situ (GCNIS) and non-GCNIS. GCNIS is a precursor lesion for testicular germ cell tumours, where germ cells undergo neoplasia, which then leads to tumour formation. There are 2 subcategories of GCNIS; seminoma and non-seminomas. What ages do each of these generally affect?
1 - seminomatous = older men 30-45 or >60 y/o
2 - non-seminomatous = late teens and early 20s
There are the 2 main classification groups of testicular cancer:
1 - germ cell tumours (GCT) (95% of testicular cancer)
2 - sex cord stromal tumours (5%)
There are 2 main types of cells involved in sex cord stromal tumours, what are these 2 cells of the seminiferous tubules?
1 - leydig cells (70%, so much more common)
2 - sertoli cells
There are the 2 main classification groups of testicular cancer:
1 - germ cell tumours (GCT) (95% of testicular cancer)
2 - sex cord stromal tumours (5%)
There are 2 main types of cells involved in sex cord stromal tumours, leydig and sertoli cells. Tumours in which type of cells is more common?
1 - leydig cells (70%, so much more common)
2 - sertoli cells
There are the 2 main classification groups of testicular cancer:
1 - germ cell tumours (GCT) (95% of testicular cancer)
2 - sex cord stromal tumours (5%)
GCT can be further subdivided into Germ cell neoplasia in situ (GCNIS) and non-GCNIS. GCNIS is a precursor lesion for testicular germ cell tumours, where germ cells undergo neoplasia, which then leads to tumour formation. There are 2 subcategories of GCNIS; seminoma and non-seminomas. Do seminoma and non-seminomas grow quicker?
- non-seminomatous GCTs – mixture of histological subtypes
There are 2 main types of germ cell tumours (GCT):
1 - seminomatous GCTs (originating in testes)
2 - non-seminomatous GCTs – mixture of histological subtypes
Within seminomatous there are 2 further classifications, what are they?
- classical seminomas (95% of tumours)
- spermatocytic seminoma
There are 2 main types of germ cell tumours (GCT):
1 - seminomatous GCTs (originating in testes)
2 - non-seminomatous GCTs – mixture of histological subtypes
Within seminomatous there are 2 further classifications:
- classical seminomas (95% of tumours)
- spermatocytic seminoma
What ages groups are more likely to get either of these seminoma tumours?
- classical seminomas = 30-45 y/o
- spermatocytic seminoma = average 65y/o (RARE)
Seminomatous germ cell tumours (GCTs) (originating in testes) are able to secrete what hormone?
1 - human gonadotrophin hormone
2 - LH
3 - FSH
4 - testosterone
1 - human gonadotrophin hormone