Germ Cell Tumor With Somatic-Type Malignancy: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

A malignant germ cell tumor (GCT) might contain or transform into malignant non-germ cell histology, commonly referred to as somatic-type malignancy (SM). It is a rare phenomenon with poorly understood pathogenesis. SMs are mostly associated with teratomas and are mainly observed in late relapsing cases. There are no consensus guidelines on the management of SMs; however, surgery is considered to be the mainstay of treatment. Prognosis is variable depending on the time of diagnosis, site of relapse, and type of histology. Here, we present a case of a 44-year-old male with a history of mixed GCT stage IIA, initially managed with right radical orchiectomy, who developed a relapse of GCT 10 years later with an SM of adenocarcinoma subtype.