Germ cell tumours are neoplasms derived from germ cells. In females, germ cell tumours account for 30% of ovarian tumours, but only 1 to 3% of ovarian carcinomas in North America. In younger women germ cell lesions are more common, thus in patients under the age of 21, 60% of ovarian tumours are of the germ cell type, and up to one-third are malignant. In males, germ cell tumours occur typically after puberty and are malignant (testicular cancer). Germ cell tumours may develop outside of the gonads. Neoplasia (literally: new growth) is sudden and abnormal growth in a tissue or organ. ... Gametes (in Greek: γαμέτες) —also known as sex cells, germ cells, or spores—are the specialized cells that come together during fertilization (conception) in organisms that reproduce sexually. ... World map showing location of North America A satellite composite image of North America North America is the third largest continent in area and in population after Eurasia and Africa. ... In medicine, malignant is a clinical term that is used to describe a clinical course that progresses rapidly to death. ... Testicular cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the testicles, a part of the male reproductive system. ...

Classification

Benign

• Mature teratoma- the most common variant is the dermoid cyst, or benign cystic teratoma, a common ovarian neoplasm, typically not cancerous.

A teratoma is a type of tumor that derives from pluripotent germ cells. ... A dermoid cyst, or benign cystic teratoma, is a cyst lined by epidermal cells, and can contain all the elements of the dermis, including epideris, hair follicles and sweat glands. ...

Malignant

• Immature teratoma
• Dysgerminoma
• Yolk sac tumour (Endodermal sinus tumor)
• Embryonal carcinoma
• Polyembryoma
• Choriocarcinoma
• Gonadoblastoma
• Mixed lesions

The general approach to histologic classification is the same as for the testis. Dysgerminomas are one of the germ cell tumour ovarian neoplasms. ... Yolk sac tumours are members of the germ cell tumour group of ovarian neoplasms. ... Choriocarcinoma is a rare cancer of the placenta, curable by chemotherapy. ... Histology is the study of tissue sectioned as a thin slice, using a microscope. ... Human male anatomy The testicles, known medically as testes (singular testis), are the male generative glands in animals. ...

See also

• Germ Cell Ovarian Cancer