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Clinical Features: Teratomas are usually seen as a component of mixed germ cell tumor. Pure teratomas are rare and make up only 5-7% of all germ cell tumors.
The patients usually present with a firm irregular testicular mass. Some cases present with distant metastases (22-37% of post-pubertal cases). There may be modest elevation of serum alpha-fetoprotein levels. The source of AFP is enteric or respiratory type glands as well as liver tissue within the tumor.
This orchiectomy specimen of a pure teratoma shows a solid and cystic tumor replacing most of the testicular parenchyma. Image copyright: pathorama.ch.
The patients usually present with a firm irregular testicular mass. Some cases present with distant metastases (22-37% of post-pubertal cases). There may be modest elevation of serum alpha-fetoprotein levels. The source of AFP is enteric or respiratory type glands as well as liver tissue within the tumor.
This orchiectomy specimen of a pure teratoma shows a solid and cystic tumor replacing most of the testicular parenchyma. Image copyright: pathorama.ch.