What is the most common pure germ cell tumor of the testes?

What is the most common pure germ cell tumor of the testes?

• A. Embryonal carcinoma
• B. Teratoma
• C. Seminoma
• D. Yolk sac tumor

Answer: (C)

Seminoma is the most common pure germ cell tumor of the testis. Among germ cell tumors, seminomas make up the largest share when you’re considering only pure forms, especially in adults. They typically affect men in their 30s to 40s and present as a painless testicular mass. On ultrasound, they usually appear as a homogeneous, hypoechoic intratesticular lesion. Serum AFP is not elevated in seminoma (yolk sac tumor would raise AFP, and embryonal carcinoma can raise it too), while hCG can be mildly elevated in a minority of cases due to syncytiotrophoblastic cells. Seminomas are highly radiosensitive and have an excellent prognosis with orchiectomy followed by radiation or chemotherapy. In contrast, yolk sac tumors are more common in children and characteristically elevate AFP; embryonal carcinoma is less common and tends to be more aggressive; teratomas can occur in both adults and children but are not as common as seminomas when considering pure germ cell tumors.

Seminoma is the most common pure germ cell tumor of the testis. Among germ cell tumors, seminomas make up the largest share when you’re considering only pure forms, especially in adults. They typically affect men in their 30s to 40s and present as a painless testicular mass. On ultrasound, they usually appear as a homogeneous, hypoechoic intratesticular lesion. Serum AFP is not elevated in seminoma (yolk sac tumor would raise AFP, and embryonal carcinoma can raise it too), while hCG can be mildly elevated in a minority of cases due to syncytiotrophoblastic cells. Seminomas are highly radiosensitive and have an excellent prognosis with orchiectomy followed by radiation or chemotherapy. In contrast, yolk sac tumors are more common in children and characteristically elevate AFP; embryonal carcinoma is less common and tends to be more aggressive; teratomas can occur in both adults and children but are not as common as seminomas when considering pure germ cell tumors.