Germ Cell Tumors in a Tertiary Hospital in Northern Nigeria: A Histopathological Study of 256 Cases

Background: Germ Cell Tumors are a group of benign and malignant neoplasms that develop from the precursors of the reproductive cells (sperm or ovum). They are mostly seen in the gonads, although may arise in extragonadal sites. Aim and Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the demographic, anatomic sites and histopathological patterns of germ cell tumors as seen in a tertiary hospital in Northern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of germ cell tumors diagnosed histologically over 15 years. The various histological types of the tumors were then analyzed statistically in terms of frequency, age, sex and anatomical site distributions. Results: The tumors represent 0.68% of all surgical specimens seen in our laboratory within the study period. There were 233 (91.0%) females and 23 (9.0%) males, the age range was 5 days to 79 years. Gonadal germ cell tumours constituted 214 (83.6%) and extragonadal germ cell tumours constituted 42 (16.4%) cases. Most of the germ cell tumors seen are benign, accounting for 210 (82.1%) and ovary is the most common anatomical sites involved in 205 cases (95.8%) of all gonadal tumors. Conclusion: This study shows that germ cell tumours are not uncommon in our environment. They affect all age groups and are predominantly seen in females. The most common type is teratoma. The most common sites are the ovary and sacrococcygeal region for the gonadal and extragonadal germ cell tumors respectively.