Tumeurs germinales du testicule : caractéristiques histopathologiques et moléculaires

Abstract

In 2016, the WHO classification of testicular germ cell tumors was revised considering advances in the understanding of their tumorigenesis and molecular features. This restructuring led to a division into two major groups with, on one hand, prepubertal-type tumors, not derived from germ cell neoplasia in situ (GCNIS), and on the other hand, postpubertal-type tumors, GCNIS-derived, which occur in youg men (seminoma and non seminomatous germ cell tumors - embryonal carcinoma, yolk sac tumor, teratoma and choriocarcinoma essentially). The term germ cell neoplasia in situ is consensually accepted as a new terminology for the precursor lesion. In this new classification, the term "spermatocytic seminoma" is replaced by "spermatocytic tumor", reclassified among non-GCNIS-derived tumors. The purpose of this change of nomenclature is to reflect the usually non-aggressive behaviour of this tumor and to avoid any confusion with usual seminoma. The spectrum of trophoblastic tumors continues to expand with the description of new rare entities such as the cystic trophoblastic tumor, the placental site trophoblastic tumor and the epithelioid trophoblastic tumor. This review aims to provide a focus on testicular germ cell tumors highlighting the new immunohistochemical and molecular features responsible for the restructuring of classification. The TNM staging is presented according to the AJCC 8th edition 2017 update.