Germ cell cancers in adult males are associated with a history of infantile pyloric stenosis.

ABSTRACT

Germ cell cancers (GCT) are the most common cancers of young men and are curable in at least 90% of cases. A number of aetiological factors have been identified which predispose to the development of these cancers, such as cryptorchidism and hernia. We report the association of GCT with infantile pyloric stenosis (IPS). The case records from 542 adult males with germ cell cancer arising from any site were screened for a history of pyloric stenosis requiring surgical treatment. Nine cases were observed (expected number = 2.168; chi squared = 21.5 (P < 0.001), standardised ratio = 4.15; 95% confidence interval 1.9-7.88). The recognition of rare associations of germ cell tumours may lead to the identification of genetic and environmental factors involved in their aetiology.