Cluster Analysis of p53 and Ki67 Expression, Apoptosis, Alpha-Fetoprotein, and Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin Indicates a Favorable Prognostic Subgroup Within the Embryonal Carcinoma Germ Cell Tumor

These results suggest that there is a subgroup of NSGCT patients with embryonal carcinoma (with or without other histologies) with a specific tumor biology profile (high Ki67, low apoptosis, and low p53) whose survival is better than that of the overall patient group. The unexpectedly good outcome for the prominent cluster and independent-risk status suggest that subgroups of GCT reflecting different abilities to respond to treatment exist within IGCCCG prognostic categories.