Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 11, 2025
Author Spotlight: Advancements in Molecular Biomarker Testing for Non-Squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Published on: September 8, 2023
Testicular cancer: new developments, molecular pathology, and current research keynote
1Department of Morphological Sciences, Cordoba University Medical School, Avda. Menendez-Pidal S/N, 14004, Cordoba, Spain. em1lobea@uco.es.
Abstract:
Germ cell tumors (GCTs) are now considered a curable cancer, with a > 95% cure rate in all patients and about 90% cure rate in patients with metastatic disease. The success of physicians in curing the disease is underpinned by multidisciplinary advances. Of relevance in this regard are the nowadays-applied homogeneous terminology based on pathologically better characterized testicular neoplasms and the development of a widely used risk stratification model for metastatic disease introduced by the International Germ Cell Cancer Collaborative Group in 1997 and updated in 2021. Non-pulmonary visceral metastases, high levels of the serum tumor markers alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), and primary mediastinal non-seminoma are currently identified as determinants of poor prognosis. In addition, the presence of distinct microRNA profiles between seminomas and non-seminoma GCTs has opened up important perspectives in terms of noninvasive biomarkers that can be used in diagnosis and treatment monitoring.
Insights
Germ cell tumors (GCTs) are highly curable cancers, with cure rates over 95%. Advances in terminology and risk stratification, alongside novel biomarkers like microRNAs, improve diagnosis and treatment monitoring for testicular neoplasms.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Genetics
Background:
- Germ cell tumors (GCTs) represent a curable malignancy with high success rates.
- Multidisciplinary advancements have significantly improved patient outcomes.
- Standardized terminology and risk stratification models are crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding and management of GCTs.
- To highlight key prognostic factors and emerging biomarkers.
- To discuss the impact of recent updates in risk stratification.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on GCTs, terminology, risk stratification, and biomarkers.
- Analysis of prognostic determinants including metastases and serum tumor markers.
- Exploration of microRNA profiles in GCT subtypes.
Main Results:
- GCTs exhibit a >95% cure rate overall and ~90% in metastatic cases.
- Poor prognostic indicators include non-pulmonary visceral metastases, elevated alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), and mediastinal non-seminoma.
- Distinct microRNA profiles in seminomas versus non-seminomas offer potential for noninvasive biomarkers.
Conclusions:
- GCT management has benefited from standardized terminology and risk models.
- Prognostic factors and serum tumor markers remain critical for patient stratification.
- MicroRNA research presents promising avenues for noninvasive diagnosis and monitoring of GCTs.
More Related Videos
13:19Microarray-based Identification of Individual HERV Loci Expression: Application to Biomarker Discovery in Prostate Cancer
Published on: November 2, 2013
10:27Testing Targeted Therapies in Cancer using Structural DNA Alteration Analysis and Patient-Derived Xenografts
Published on: July 25, 2020
Related Concept Videos
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
02:07Tumor Progression
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
01:05Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
01:21Cancer Survival Analysis
02:49Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
02:50Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...