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This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: jcp.2006.045732v1 61/1/20    most recent Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this link to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Add article to my folders Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Berney, D M Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Berney, D M Pubmed/NCBI databases Medline Plus Health Information Testicular Cancer Testicular Disorders

Staging and classification of testicular tumours: pitfalls from macroscopy to diagnosis

Correspondence to:
Dr D M Berney, The Orchid Tissue Laboratory, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, West Smithfield, London EC1A 7BE, UK; D.Berney{at}bartsandthelondon.nhs.uk

The accurate assessment of testicular tumours is vital for appropriate treatment to be instituted. The assessment begins at specimen receipt, as careful macroscopic examination is vital for staging, and this, in part, determines whether adjuvant treatment is given. More challenging specimens may include partial orchidectomies, biopsies and resection of lymph node or visceral metastases. Accurate histological typing is also a potential source of error as two classifications are in use, and this may lead to misunderstanding between clinician and pathologist. A specialist and multidisciplinary approach is advocated. Microscopic staging includes assessment of vascular invasion which may be complicated by artifactual spread at the dissecting bench, local invasion, assessment of the cord and occasionally lymph node deposits. From careful macroscopic examination, to accurate histological typing and reporting of adverse pathological parameters, the pathologist plays a major role in the successful treatment of a group of rare, but largely treatable, tumours.