GERM CELL TUMOURS AS SEEN AT AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL ZARIA: A TEN YEAR HISTOPATHOLOGICAL REVIEW (2004-2013)

Abstract

Background: Germ cell tumours are uncommon neoplasms that generally arise in the gonads,
although several cases have being reported in the extragonadal sites. This study describes the
histopathological features of cases seen over a ten year period in a tertiary institution in Nigeria.
Aim and Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the histopathologic pattern of germ
cell tumours as seen at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Zaria, Nigeria. The
objectives of this study are: to determine the prevalence, age and sex distribution and
anatomical sites distribution of germ cell tumours.
Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study of cases of Germ Cell Tumours diagnosed
histologically at the Department of Pathology, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital
(ABUTH) Zaria between January 2004-December 2013. The data was analyzed with respect to
age, sex, anatomical sites and histopathological pattern. The Haematoxylin and Eosin stained
slides were reviewed and where necessary, the paraffin blocks were recut and stained. The 2004
World Health Organization (WHO) Histopathological Classification of germ cell tumours was
used in this study for testicular and ovarian germ cell tumours.
Results: Germ Cell Tumours comprised of 160 cases which constituted 0.59% of all surgical
specimens seen within the study period. There were 18 (11.2%) males and 142 (88.8%) females
giving a male to female ratio of 1:7.9. The age range was 5 days to 79 years. Gonadal germ cell
tumours constituted 131 (81.9%) and extragonadal germ cell tumours 29 (18.1%) cases. Benign
neoplasms accounted for 132 (82.5%) while malignant neoplasms accounted for 28 (17.5%)
cases. Ovarian germ cell tumours accounted for 125 (78.1%) and testicular germ cell tumours 6
(3.8%) cases. One hundred and forty nine (93.1%) cases were teratomas, 6 (3.8%) were
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seminomas, 4 (2.5%) were dysgerminomas and 1 (0.6%) was yolk sac tumour. The common
sites were the ovary (78.1%), sacrococcygeal region (11.3%) and neck (5.0%).
Conclusion: This study shows that germ cell tumours are infrequent in our environment and
affect all age groups. They are predominantly seen in females and the most common type is
teratoma. The most common sites are the ovary and sacrococcygeal region for the gonadal and
extragonal germ cell tumours respectively.
Keywords: Germ cell tumours, Extragonadal, Pathology, Zaria.