Definition
- A germ cell tumour composed of somatic tissues derived from two or three of the germ layers (i.e. the ectoderm, endoderm, and mesoderm).
- Somatic elements within teratomas can undergo neoplastic change.
Frequency
- 19.6% (13.3% of Teratoma)
Histopathology
- Macroscopic
- Most common found:
- Rhabdomyosarcomas and undifferentiated sarcomas > enteric-type adenocarcinomas, squamous carcinomas, and primitive neuroectodermal tumours
- Pathologists
- Should specify the type of secondary cancer present and avoid the non-specific designation “malignant teratoma’’.
- Rare teratomas contain a component resulting from the malignant transformation of a somatic tissue, usually a carcinoma or sarcoma,
- Embryonal tumours with the features of a primitive neuroectodermal tumour can also arise eg: a pineal tumour of childhood.
Blood markers
- Alpha-fetoprotein
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