The pre-invasive lesion associated with post pubertal malignant germ cell tumours of the testis was first recognised in the early 1970s and proven by a number of observational and follow up studies.
Until this year, this scientific story has been confused by resistance to the entity, and disagreement on its name. Initially termed 'carcinoma in situ' (CIS), it has also been known as 'Intra-tubular germ cell neoplasia, unclassified' (IGCNU) and 'testicular intra-epithelial neoplasia' (TIN). We wish here, to review the history of discovery and controversy on these names, and introduce the reasoning for uniting behind a new name, endorsed unanimously at the WHO consensus classification 2016: Germ cell neoplasia in situ (GCNIS). This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Histopathology. 2016 Feb 26 [Epub ahead of print]
D M Berney, Lhj Looijenga, M Idrees, J W Oosterhuis, E Rajpert-De Meyts, T M Ulbright, N E Skakkebaek
Department of Molecular Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute, St Bartholomew's Hospital, Queen Mary University of London, John Vane Building, Charterhouse Square, London, ECIM 6BQ, England, United Kingdom., Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Wytemaweg 80, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, Netherlands., Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, 350 West 11th Street, Room 4014, Indianapolis, IN, 46202-4108, USA., Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Wytemaweg 80, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, Netherlands., Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen., Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, 350 West 11th Street, Room 4014, Indianapolis, IN, 46202-4108, USA., Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen.