Embryonal cell cancer
Embryonal cell cancer, also known as embryonal carcinoma, is a malignant germ-cell tumor primarily found in the testes, constituting about 40% of testicular tumors. It is characterized by rapid growth and the potential to metastasize beyond the testicular region. The condition can arise from abnormalities in embryonic germ cells, which typically develop into reproductive cells during the body's early formation. Risk factors include birth defects, such as cryptorchidism (undescended testis), which can increase susceptibility to the disease. While embryonal cell cancer is rare, it commonly affects men aged 30 to 35, though cases have been reported in younger males starting from age 15. Key symptoms often include noticeable swelling or a mass in the testicles. Diagnosis typically involves imaging studies, blood tests, and biopsies, while treatment options may include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, tailored to the individual’s age, health, and disease progression. Prognosis is generally favorable, with high survival rates for early-stage cases, underscoring the importance of early detection through self-examinations.
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Subject Terms
Embryonal cell cancer
ALSO KNOWN AS: Embryonal cancer
RELATED CONDITIONS:Testicular cancer, germ-cell tumor
DEFINITION: Embryonal cell cancer is a malignant germ-cell tumor that occurs most often in the testes and accounts for about 40 percent of testicular tumors. Under the microscope, these tumors may resemble tissues of early embryos. This type of tumor can grow rapidly and spread outside the testicle.
Risk factors: Birth defects such as male infants with undescended testis (chryptorchidism) can lead to embryonal cancer.
Etiology and the disease process: Embryonic cells grow in the embryo, and some develop into germ cells that make up the reproductive system in men and women. These embryonic germ cells follow a midline path through the body after development and descend into the pelvis as ovarian cells or into the scrotal sac as testicular cells.
Embryonal cell cancer results when the reproductive germ cell develops abnormally into cancerous cells. Differing from the other types of testicular cancers, embryonal carcinoma can have several of the properties of an abnormally developed fetus.
Incidence: Embryonal cell cancer is very rare. Approximately one in 250 males, or 0.5-1.0 percent of the male population will contract this disease. As of 2024, embryonal carcinomas are usually seen in men aged 30 to 35 but have also affected youths in their late teens, beginning around age 15. The chances of an embryonal carcinoma spreading from one testicle to the other are less than one percent. Embryonal carcinoma in the ovaries of females is extremely rare and on average occurs around the age of fifteen.
Symptoms: Patients with embryonal cell cancer usually have a tumor, swelling, or mass that can be felt or seen, or an abnormal shape, or irregularity in, testicular size.
Screening and diagnosis: Diagnostic procedures for embryonal cell cancer may include biopsy of the tumor; blood tests, including testing for tumor markers and a complete blood count (CBC) to determine the size, number, and maturity of different blood cells within the blood; and multiple imaging studies such as computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, and x-ray.
Treatment and therapy: Specific treatment for germ-cell tumors is determined by the patient’s age, overall health, medical history, and the extent of the disease. Surgery is generally performed to remove the malignant cells, and patients may undergo chemotherapy or radiation to reduce the risk of recurrence of cancerous cells.
Prognosis, prevention, and outcomes: With all testicular cancers, strategies employing surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy (either alone or in combination) have created five-year relative survival rates approaching 99 percent for low-stage or early disease, 96 percent for more advanced tumors (regional), and 73 percent for metastatic (distant) cancer, as reported by the American Cancer Society in 2024. Early detection by performing monthly testicular self-exams can greatly improve the chances of survival.
Bibliography
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Rung, Rosalie. "Survival Rates for Testicular Cancer." Healthline, 24 May 2023, www.healthline.com/health/cancer/testicular-cancer-death-rate. 8 July 2024.
Ruwa, Rashida. "Embryonal Carcinoma: What to Know About This Rare Testicular Cancer." Healthgrades, 13 Jan. 2023, www.healthgrades.com/right-care/cancer/embryonal-carcinoma. Accesed 8 July 2024.
"Testicular Cancer Survival Rates." American Cancer Society, 1 Mar. 2023, www.cancer.org/cancer/types/testicular-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/survival-rates.html. Accessed 8 July 2024.