Backgroud: Germ cell tumors (GCTs) are a group of neoplasms usually arising in the gonads, and very rarely in sites outside the gonads, mainly in the retroperitoneum, the anterior mediastinum, and pineal gland or the coccyx (mainly in childhood). The prognosis of nonseminoma primary mediastinal GCTs (PMGCTs), is considered to be poorer compared to its retroperitoneal or gonadal counterparts and, according to the International Germ Cell Cancer Collaborative Group, it is considered by definition as a “poor risk” disease. Material and Methods Our review highlights the clinical features, prognostic factors, and therapeutic strategies in PMGCTs, as described in medical literature. So far available data were obtained through a Medline search of English-language papers. Results: Due to the rarity of the disease, there are no prospective studies comparing different treatment strategies. For this reason, oncology societies recommend treating PMGCTs like other GCTs, according to general risk categories. Conclusion: Because of the rarity of the disease, poor categorization, and the lack of novel therapeutic strategies, an International database is required to obtain more information on these tumors. Additional efforts should be done, with the aims to find effective novel therapeutic agents.

Improving patient-physician communication is an area of medicine that deserves greater attention. Narrative medicine can be considered as one tool that can aid in fostering better communication. Current medical practice is dominated by evidence-based medicine, and dictates what therapies the clinician will offer in a given circumstance, ideally supported by (evidence-based) guidelines. However, when taken alone it tends to decentralize the patient. There are many different approaches that can be used to understand the patient and what he or she is experiencing as a result of their illness. While time constraints are often mentioned as a barrier to improved communication, in reality the time required to listen to patients is not excessive, and all caregivers should reflect on the possibility to give patients greater freedom from time constraints during consultation, and encourage them to narrate their experiences. Moreover, use of narrative-based medicine may be associated with better diagnosis and treatment of pain. Narrative-based medicine is not just for end-of-life care, but something for all caregivers to give greater consideration to in daily practice in order to form a strong frame of alliance.

Germ cell tumors arise in childhood but peak at around 30 years of age. They are the most common cancers in males under the age of 35. Over 95% arise in the testes while a minority originate in extragonadal sites such as the anterior mediastinum, or mainly in childhood the pineal gland or the sacrococcygeal area. These tumors show an extraordinary sensitivity to chemotherapy (and for seminoma, also to radiation) and cure rates are relatively high even in second or subsequent relapses. Very few data are present in the literature regarding patients diagnosed after 50 years and no specific trials have been conducted in this setting. Nearly all patients reported in the literature had testicular cancers, with occasional reports of extragonadal tumors. Despite the fact that > 50 years may be considered an “elderly” population, these patients are treated with the same cisplatin containing combinations as their younger counterparts with consequent higher toxicity. In this review we will present epidemiological and clinical data from this rare population of patients with testicular cancer.

Spermatocytic tumor (ST) is a very rare disease, accounting for approximately 1% of testicular cancers. Previously classified as spermatocytic seminoma, it is currently classified within the non-germ neoplasia in-situ-derived tumors and has different clinical-pathologic features when compared with other forms of germ cell tumors (GCTs). A web-based search of MEDLINE/PubMed library data was performed in order to identify pertinent articles. In the vast majority of cases, STs are diagnosed at stage I and carry a very good prognosis. The treatment of choice is orchiectomy alone. Nevertheless, there are two rare variants of STs having very aggressive behavior, namely anaplastic ST and ST with sarcomatous transformation, that are resistant to systemic treatments and their prognosis is very poor. We have summarized all the epidemiological, pathological and clinical features available in the literature regarding STs that have to be considered as a specific entity compared to other germ GCTs, including seminoma. With the aim of improving the knowledge of this rare disease, an international registry is required.