Extragonadal Germ Cell Tumours in Males

Abstract

Introduction: Extragonadal germ cell tumours are germ cell neoplasms located in extragonadal sites. These tumours have arisen from primordial germ cells misplaced during their migration to the gonads. The aim of this study was to determine the patterns of extragonadal germ cell tumours in University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) over a period of twenty years.

Materials and Method: This retrospective review involved all male cases of extragonadal germ cell tumours diagnosed during consultation in the  Department of Morbid Anatomy, University of Benin Teaching Hospital from January 1, 1990 to December 31, 2010. The location, type and age were used  to determine the patterns of extragonadal germ cell tumours in males. Permission for this study was obtained from the University of Benin Teaching  Hospital (UBTH) ethics committee (protocol number ADM/E 22/A/VOL. VII/928).

Results: A total number of nine lesions were recorded during the period under review. Benign cystic teratoma constituted about 67%, immature  teratoma 11%, poorly differentiated carcinoma 11% and embryonal carcinoma 11% of the entire diagnosis made. The observed lesions were distributed  to the sacro-coccygeal region with majority occurring in young age.

Conclusion: Extragonadal germ cell tumours have been shown to be rare. Benign cyst teratomas were demonstrated to occur mostly in young males  especially in the sacro-coccygeal region.