Germ cell neoplasia in situ: The precursor cell for invasive germ cell tumors of the testis

Germ cell neoplasia in situ is the non-invasive precursor cell of origin for type II testicular germ cell tumors. It has long been postulated that germ cell neoplasia in situ is derived from defective germ cell development during embryonic life, and although it is impossible to trace in vivo the progression from fetal germ cell to germ cell neoplasia in situ to tumor, there is a large volume of evidence supporting this theory. Current studies focus on understanding how germ cell neoplasia in situ forms, how these cells are activated at puberty and how they transform to invasive tumors of various subtypes. Such information is informing novel diagnostic and therapeutic options.