Cytogenetic analysis of a mature teratoma and a yolk sac tumor component of a late relapse of a disseminated testicular nonseminoma

We report on the cytogenetics of a primary testicular nonseminoma, a residu al mature teratoma after remission-induction chemotherapy, and a late relap se after 9 years of follow-up, in one patient. The late relapse was compose d of a mature teratoma and a yolk sac tumor component. Cytogenetic comparis on of the different rumors shows that progression of primary testicular non seminoma to residual mature teratoma and to a late-relapse lesion is accomp anied by net loss of chromosomes. In addition, our findings may suggest tha t transformation to viable cancer in a late-relapse lesion is accompanied b y further chromosomal losses. (C) Elsevier Science Inc., 1999. All rights r eserved.