TY - JOUR
T1 - Unusual presentations of gynecologic tumors
T2 - Extragonadal yolk sac tumor of the vulva
AU - Euscher, Elizabeth D.
PY - 2017/2
Y1 - 2017/2
N2 - Extragonadal germ cell tumors are uncommon, and although they morphologically resemble their gonadal counterparts, unexpected gonadal presentation increases the potential for erroneous diagnoses. Yolk sac tumor is a malignant germ cell tumor characterized by an extraembryonic yolk sac line of differentiation, and relative to other germ cell tumors, is characterized by varied and diverse histologic patterns. When occurring outside of typical age parameters or in extragonadal locations, the histologic variability of yolk sac tumor and its tendency to mimic somatic tumors pose diagnostic challenges. Because extragonadal yolk sac tumor of the vulva is very rare, with only isolated case reports and small series in the literature, it is often not considered in the differential diagnosis. As both prognosis and management of yolk sac tumor differ significantly from those of somatic tumors, accurate diagnosis is essential. This review discusses histologic features of extragonadal yolk sac tumor, addresses somatic tumors arising in the vulva for which yolk sac tumor may be confused, and provides guidance with respect to the use of immunohistochemistry in the diagnosis of yolk sac tumor.
AB - Extragonadal germ cell tumors are uncommon, and although they morphologically resemble their gonadal counterparts, unexpected gonadal presentation increases the potential for erroneous diagnoses. Yolk sac tumor is a malignant germ cell tumor characterized by an extraembryonic yolk sac line of differentiation, and relative to other germ cell tumors, is characterized by varied and diverse histologic patterns. When occurring outside of typical age parameters or in extragonadal locations, the histologic variability of yolk sac tumor and its tendency to mimic somatic tumors pose diagnostic challenges. Because extragonadal yolk sac tumor of the vulva is very rare, with only isolated case reports and small series in the literature, it is often not considered in the differential diagnosis. As both prognosis and management of yolk sac tumor differ significantly from those of somatic tumors, accurate diagnosis is essential. This review discusses histologic features of extragonadal yolk sac tumor, addresses somatic tumors arising in the vulva for which yolk sac tumor may be confused, and provides guidance with respect to the use of immunohistochemistry in the diagnosis of yolk sac tumor.
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U2 - 10.5858/arpa.2016-0151-SA
DO - 10.5858/arpa.2016-0151-SA
M3 - Article
C2 - 27959583
AN - SCOPUS:85011650065
SN - 0003-9985
VL - 141
SP - 293
EP - 297
JO - Archives of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
JF - Archives of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
IS - 2
ER -