Seminoma : Syncytiotrophoblastic Cells
Section Editor: Dharam M. Ramnani, MD
Virginia Urology, Richmond, VA, USA
Image Description
About 10-20% of all classic seminomas show trophoblastic differentiation in the form of syncytiotrophoblastic giant cells. In this low power view, several giant cells can be seen. They may be associated with blood vessels and contain areas of hemorrhage around them. They are not associated with cytotrophoblastic cells unlike choriocarcinoma. They are responsible for modest elevations of b-hCG seen in some seminomas.