TERATOMA WITH MALIGNANT TRANSFORMATION: DIVERSE MALIGNANT HISTOLOGIES ARISING IN MEN WITH GERM CELL TUMORS

AbstractPurpose: Teratoma with malignant transformation refers to a form of germ cell tumor in which a somatic teratomatous component becomes morphologically malignant and develops aggressive growth. We evaluated the spectrum of histologies, chromosomal abnormalities and clinical outcome in patients with teratoma with malignant transformation.Materials and Methods: We identified 46 patients with germ cell tumor meeting morphologic criteria for malignant transformation. Histology, disease extent and treatment were correlated with survival. Tumors in 12 patients were studied by conventional cytogenetics or molecular genetic techniques for the isochromosome 12p [i(12p)], a marker for germ cell tumor, as well as other chromosomal abnormalities.Results: The site of first detection of malignant transformation occurred in the primary tumor of 21 cases (44%), at a metastatic site in 20 (43%) and in both sites in 5 (10%). Sarcoma was the most frequent histology, identified in 29 patients (63%) with rhabdomyosarcom...