Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 25, 2026
12:44
The In ovo CAM-assay as a Xenograft Model for Sarcoma
Published on: July 17, 2013
Solid pattern yolk sac tumor: a morphologic and immunohistochemical study of 52 cases
Chia-Sui Kao1, Muhammad T Idrees, Robert H Young
1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
The American Journal of Surgical Pathology
|January 21, 2012
Summary
Solid yolk sac tumors, often mistaken for seminoma, can be diagnosed by specific morphological features and immunohistochemistry. Careful evaluation distinguishes these tumors, crucial for appropriate treatment and improved patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pathology
- Histology
Background:
- Yolk sac tumors (YST) present diverse histological patterns.
- A solid growth pattern in YST is uncommon and often misdiagnosed as seminoma, particularly in metastatic or mediastinal biopsies.
- Accurate differentiation is critical as YST and seminoma require different treatment protocols.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify key morphological and immunohistochemical features for diagnosing solid yolk sac tumors.
- To differentiate solid YST from other germ cell tumors, especially seminoma.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 52 germ cell tumors with a solid YST component.
- Analysis of morphological features including cellular arrangement, cytoplasm, nuclear characteristics, and background.
- Immunohistochemical staining for AE1/AE3 cytokeratin, glypican 3, alpha-fetoprotein, CD117, podoplanin, and OCT3/4.
Main Results:
- Solid YST frequently co-occurred with other YST patterns (microcystic/reticular, glandular, myxoid).
- Key features included abundant pale/clear cytoplasm, intercellular basement membrane deposits, rare microcysts, nuclear pleomorphism, and hyaline globules.
- Immunohistochemistry showed strong AE1/AE3 and glypican 3 reactivity; alpha-fetoprotein was negative in 38%, CD117 positive in 59%, and OCT3/4 negative.
- Solid YST can be distinguished from seminoma by the absence of lymphocytes and specific immunohistochemical markers.
Conclusions:
- Solid YST can be diagnosed through careful morphological assessment, noting its association with other YST patterns and specific cellular features.
- An immunohistochemical panel of AE1/AE3, glypican 3, and OCT3/4 is valuable for difficult cases.
- Alpha-fetoprotein and CD117 are unreliable markers for differentiating solid YST from seminoma.
