ABSOLUTE POWER CORRUPTS ABSOLUTELY: INSIGHTS TO TESTICULAR GERM CELL TUMORIGENESIS

Testicular germ cell tumors are the most frequent malignant tumors of young males (age 15 to 35). While the causes of their malignant transformation are still unclear, the two main tumor groups (seminomas and non-seminomas) share a common origin and distinct biological pathways. The pluripotence of germ cells explains their differentiation in various histological subgroups (classic seminoma, spermatocytic seminoma, embryonal carcinoma, choriocarcinoma, yolk sac tumors, teratomas and several mixed-type tumors). It may also be the reason behind the extraordinary response to oncologic treatments (chemotherapy in particular) of these tumors, representing a model of curable cancer from which oncologists and researchers can draw future insights to the optimal management of other neoplasms.