What is Embryonal Carcinoma?

Embryonal Carcinoma
N-cadherin expression in embryonal carcinoma and chorionic carcinoma: Embryonal carcinoma: Normal testis and IGCNU showing N-cadherin expression (white arrow). In contrast, the embryonal carcinoma cells do not show any expression of N-cadherin (black arrows, A; x40, B; x200, C; x400). Even mixed tumours with embryonal carcinoma are negative for N-cadherin (black arrow), whereas seminoma shows N-cadherin expression (white arrow, D; x100). Chorionic carcinoma: Tumour cells and syncytiotrophoblastic cells do not show N-cadherin expression (white arrow). Adjacent tumour cells (yolk sac tumour components) are positive for N-cadherin expression and show membranous and cytoplasmic staining (black arrow, E; x40, F; x200).N-cadherin expression in malignant germ cell tumours of the testis. Bremmer F, Hemmerlein B, Strauss A, Burfeind P, Thelen P, Radzun HJ, Behnes CL - BMC clinical pathology (2012). Not Altered. CC.

Embryonal carcinoma is a germ cell neoplasm categorized with primitive epithelial cells with patent pleomorphism and several histologic patterns.

What is the Pathology of Embryonal Carcinoma?

The pathology of embryonal carcinoma is:

-Etiology: The cause of embryonal carcinoma is genetic, environmental factors, and idiopathic.

-Genes involved: embryonal carcinoma-specific gene DNMT3B.

-Pathogenesis: The sequence of events that lead to embryonal carcinoma unknown.

-Morphology: The morphology associated with embryonal carcinoma shows smaller tumor does not replace the whole testis, mass pied, are poorly demarcated at the margins, and scattered by hemorrhage and necrosis.

-Histology: The histology associated with embryonal carcinoma shows basally located nuclei and apical cytoplasm in teratomas, epithelial appearance, and are large and anaplastic neoplastic cells.

How does Embryonal Carcinoma Present? 

Patients with embryonal carcinoma are typically males between 20 to 30 years old. The symptoms, features, and clinical findings associated with embryonal carcinoma include a painless palpable mass on the testis. 

How is Embryonal Carcinoma Diagnosed? 

Embryonal carcinoma is diagnosed through imaging studies, and biopsy. 

How is Embryonal Carcinoma Treated? 

Embryonal carcinoma is treated through surgical interventions and chemotherapy. 

What is the Prognosis of Embryonal Carcinoma?

The prognosis of embryonal carcinoma is fair. 

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Last updated on May 24, 2022