Details
27-year old man with a brain lesion.
This case represents a secondary/metastatic tumour in the brain. In evaluating for the primary site of this brain metastasis, the history of a previous testicular tumour was helpful. This lesion was positive for SALL4, pan-keratin and glypican-3. Alpha-fetoprotein, calretinin and Inhibin A were focally positive. This panel was consistent with a yolk sac tumour.
Clinically, the distinction of seminomatous vs. non-seminomatous germ cell tumour is important, as that determines whether chemotherapy should be combined with radiotherapy (as in the case of non-seminomatous cases). Compared to other brain metastases, the prognosis is much better for germ cell tumours.
Compare with primary cases of yolk sac tumours (links in Related Content section):
LMP17507 - Ovary, yolk sac tumour
LMP50147 - Testis (undescended), Yolk-sac tumour