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17-02-2022 | Seminoma | Original Article

Spectrum of Germ Cell Tumor (GCT): 5 Years’ Experience in a Tertiary Care Center and Utility of OCT4 as a Diagnostic Adjunct

Authors: Paul Paramita, Agarwal Preeti, Jain Mili, Jaiswal Ridhi, Sagar Mala, Goel MM

Published in: Indian Journal of Surgical Oncology | Issue 3/2022

Abstract

Germ cell tumors (GCT) are an intriguing group of neoplasm having myriad clinical and morphological presentation. More and more transcription factors are being evaluated for identification of same. To study the spectrum of GCTs in a tertiary care center and the use of a stem cell marker OCT4 as a diagnostic adjunct, a retrospective 5-year (2008–2013) study was carried out. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) with OCT4 was performed on all cases and IHC for α feto protein (AFP), CD30, and epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) as per requirement. Cohort included 73 cases (23 males and 50 females). Testicular and ovarian GCTs accounted for 95.83% and 35.71% respectively. In males, seminoma was the commonest (34.78%) followed by mixed GCT (26%). 17.85% of ovarian GCTs were malignant mostly constituted by dysgerminoma (18%). Benign mature cystic teratoma (MCT) constituted 50% of ovarian GCTs. OCT4 immunoexpression was seen in all cases of seminoma/dysgerminoma, embryonal carcinoma, immature teratoma, and seminomatous/embryomatous component of mixed GCTs. Pure yolk sac tumor (YST) and MCT were consistently negative. OCT4 was especially helpful in identification of mixed GCT. A panel of immunohistochemical markers would be a more ideal way to identify and clarify the components because correct identification of the components is important for therapeutic intervention and prognostication. OCT4 being a primordial germ cell marker predicts aggressive behavior and targeted therapy against this should be investigated.

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Title: Spectrum of Germ Cell Tumor (GCT): 5 Years’ Experience in a Tertiary Care Center and Utility of OCT4 as a Diagnostic Adjunct
Authors: Paul Paramita
Agarwal Preeti
Jain Mili
Jaiswal Ridhi
Sagar Mala
Goel MM
Publication date: 17-02-2022
Publisher: Springer India
Keywords: Seminoma
Seminoma
Care
Published in: Indian Journal of Surgical Oncology / Issue 3/2022
Print ISSN: 0975-7651
Electronic ISSN: 0976-6952
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13193-022-01522-w

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Spectrum of Germ Cell Tumor (GCT): 5 Years’ Experience in a Tertiary Care Center and Utility of OCT4 as a Diagnostic Adjunct

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