Ovarian germ cell tumors: Difference between revisions

Ovarian germ cell tumors
	Dysgerminoma under high magnification
Synonyms	N/A
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Abdominal pain, abdominal swelling, irregular menstruation
Complications	Infertility, metastasis
Onset	Typically in young women and adolescents
Duration	Variable
Types	Dysgerminoma, Yolk sac tumor, Teratoma, Choriocarcinoma
Causes	Unknown, but may involve genetic factors
Risks	Family history, genetic conditions such as Turner syndrome
Diagnosis	Pelvic examination, Ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, Biopsy
Differential diagnosis	Ovarian cyst, Ectopic pregnancy, Ovarian cancer
Prevention	None specific
Treatment	Surgery, Chemotherapy, Radiation therapy
Medication	Bleomycin, Etoposide, Cisplatin
Prognosis	Generally good with treatment, varies by type
Frequency	Rare, accounting for 2-3% of all ovarian tumors
Deaths	N/A

Latest revision as of 05:00, 6 April 2025

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Ovarian germ cell tumors are a type of ovarian tumor that originate from the germ cells of the ovary. These tumors are relatively rare and account for approximately 2-3% of all ovarian cancers. They primarily affect young women and adolescents.

Types[edit]

Ovarian germ cell tumors can be classified into several types based on their histological characteristics:

Dysgerminoma[edit]

Dysgerminomas are the most common type of malignant germ cell tumor of the ovary. They are analogous to seminomas in males and are characterized by their sensitivity to radiation therapy. Dysgerminomas typically present as solid masses and are often unilateral.

Immature Teratoma[edit]

Immature teratomas contain immature or embryonic-like tissue and are considered malignant. They are graded based on the amount of immature tissue present. These tumors can grow rapidly and may spread to other parts of the body.

Yolk Sac Tumor[edit]

Also known as endodermal sinus tumors, yolk sac tumors are highly malignant and often secrete alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), which can be used as a tumor marker. They are aggressive and require prompt treatment.

Choriocarcinoma[edit]

Ovarian choriocarcinomas are rare and highly malignant tumors that can produce human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). They are known for their tendency to metastasize early, often to the lungs.

Mature Teratoma[edit]

Mature teratomas, also known as dermoid cysts, are usually benign and contain well-differentiated tissues such as skin, hair, and teeth. They are the most common type of germ cell tumor and are often found incidentally.

Diagnosis[edit]

The diagnosis of ovarian germ cell tumors typically involves a combination of imaging studies, serum tumor markers, and histopathological examination. Ultrasound and CT scans are commonly used imaging modalities. Serum markers such as AFP, hCG, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) can aid in diagnosis and monitoring.

Treatment[edit]

The treatment of ovarian germ cell tumors depends on the type and stage of the tumor. Surgery is often the first step, with the goal of removing the tumor while preserving fertility if possible. Chemotherapy is commonly used, especially for malignant tumors, with regimens often including bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin (BEP).

Prognosis[edit]

The prognosis for patients with ovarian germ cell tumors varies depending on the type and stage of the tumor. Dysgerminomas and immature teratomas generally have a good prognosis with appropriate treatment. Early-stage tumors have a high cure rate, while advanced-stage tumors require more aggressive treatment.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Short description|Overview of ovarian germ cell tumors}}
+{{SI}} {{Infobox medical condition
+| name                    = Ovarian germ cell tumors
-==Ovarian Germ Cell Tumors==
+| image                   = [[File:Dysgerminoma,_high_mag.jpg|thumb|Dysgerminoma under high magnification]]
-[[File:Dysgerminoma,_high_mag.jpg|Dysgerminoma under high magnification|thumb|right]]
+| caption                 = Histological image of a dysgerminoma, a type of ovarian germ cell tumor
-Ovarian germ cell tumors are a diverse group of neoplasms that originate from the germ cells of the ovary. These tumors are relatively rare, accounting for approximately 2-3% of all ovarian cancers. They primarily affect young women and adolescents, often presenting during the reproductive years.
+| field                   = [[Oncology]]
+| symptoms                = Abdominal pain, abdominal swelling, irregular menstruation
-==Classification==
+| complications           = Infertility, metastasis
-Ovarian germ cell tumors are classified into several types based on their histological characteristics:
+| onset                   = Typically in young women and adolescents
+| duration                = Variable
-===Dysgerminoma===
+| types                   = [[Dysgerminoma]], [[Yolk sac tumor]], [[Teratoma]], [[Choriocarcinoma]]
-Dysgerminomas are the most common type of malignant germ cell tumor, representing about 30-40% of all ovarian germ cell tumors. They are analogous to seminomas in males and are characterized by their sensitivity to radiation therapy.
+| causes                  = Unknown, but may involve genetic factors
+| risks                   = Family history, genetic conditions such as [[Turner syndrome]]
-===Immature Teratoma===
+| diagnosis               = [[Pelvic examination]], [[Ultrasound]], [[CT scan]], [[MRI]], [[Biopsy]]
+| differential            = [[Ovarian cyst]], [[Ectopic pregnancy]], [[Ovarian cancer]]
+| prevention              = None specific
+| treatment               = [[Surgery]], [[Chemotherapy]], [[Radiation therapy]]
+| medication              = [[Bleomycin]], [[Etoposide]], [[Cisplatin]]
+| prognosis               = Generally good with treatment, varies by type
+| frequency               = Rare, accounting for 2-3% of all ovarian tumors
+}}
+'''Ovarian germ cell tumors''' are a type of [[ovarian tumor]] that originate from the germ cells of the ovary. These tumors are relatively rare and account for approximately 2-3% of all ovarian cancers. They primarily affect young women and adolescents.
+== Types ==
+Ovarian germ cell tumors can be classified into several types based on their histological characteristics:
+=== Dysgerminoma ===
+Dysgerminomas are the most common type of malignant germ cell tumor of the ovary. They are analogous to [[seminoma]]s in males and are characterized by their sensitivity to radiation therapy. Dysgerminomas typically present as solid masses and are often unilateral.
+=== Immature Teratoma ===
 [[File:Immature_teratoma_high_mag.jpg|Immature teratoma under high magnification|thumb|left]]
-Immature teratomas contain immature or embryonic tissues and are graded based on the amount of immature neural tissue present. They are more aggressive than mature teratomas and require careful management.
+Immature teratomas contain immature or embryonic-like tissue and are considered malignant. They are graded based on the amount of immature tissue present. These tumors can grow rapidly and may spread to other parts of the body.
+=== Yolk Sac Tumor ===
-===Yolk Sac Tumor===
+[[File:Yolk_sac_tumour_--_intermed_mag.jpg|Yolk sac tumor under intermediate magnification|thumb|left]]
-[[File:Yolk_sac_tumour_--_intermed_mag.jpg|Yolk sac tumor under intermediate magnification|thumb|right]]
+Also known as endodermal sinus tumors, yolk sac tumors are highly malignant and often secrete [[alpha-fetoprotein]] (AFP), which can be used as a tumor marker. They are aggressive and require prompt treatment.
-Also known as endodermal sinus tumors, yolk sac tumors are highly malignant and often secrete alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), which can be used as a tumor marker for diagnosis and monitoring.
+=== Choriocarcinoma ===
-===Choriocarcinoma===
 [[File:Choriocarcinoma_to_lung_-_alt_--_high_mag.jpg|Choriocarcinoma metastasis to lung under high magnification|thumb|left]]
-Ovarian choriocarcinomas are rare and aggressive tumors that can produce human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). They are often associated with gestational trophoblastic disease but can occur as pure germ cell tumors.
+Ovarian choriocarcinomas are rare and highly malignant tumors that can produce [[human chorionic gonadotropin]] (hCG). They are known for their tendency to metastasize early, often to the lungs.
+=== Mature Teratoma ===
-===Mature Teratoma===
+Mature teratomas, also known as dermoid cysts, are usually benign and contain well-differentiated tissues such as skin, hair, and teeth. They are the most common type of germ cell tumor and are often found incidentally.
-Mature teratomas, also known as dermoid cysts, are benign tumors that contain well-differentiated tissues from all three germ layers. They are the most common type of germ cell tumor and are often discovered incidentally.
+== Diagnosis ==
+The diagnosis of ovarian germ cell tumors typically involves a combination of imaging studies, serum tumor markers, and histopathological examination. [[Ultrasound]] and [[CT scan]]s are commonly used imaging modalities. Serum markers such as AFP, hCG, and [[lactate dehydrogenase]] (LDH) can aid in diagnosis and monitoring.
-==Clinical Presentation==
+== Treatment ==
-Patients with ovarian germ cell tumors may present with abdominal pain, a palpable mass, or symptoms related to tumor rupture or torsion. Hormonal activity of the tumor can also lead to precocious puberty or menstrual irregularities.
+[[File:POvarianCA.png|Diagram of ovarian cancer treatment|thumb|left]]
+The treatment of ovarian germ cell tumors depends on the type and stage of the tumor. Surgery is often the first step, with the goal of removing the tumor while preserving fertility if possible. Chemotherapy is commonly used, especially for malignant tumors, with regimens often including [[bleomycin]], [[etoposide]], and [[cisplatin]] (BEP).
-==Diagnosis==
+== Prognosis ==
-Diagnosis of ovarian germ cell tumors involves a combination of imaging studies, serum tumor markers, and histopathological examination. Ultrasound and MRI are commonly used imaging modalities, while serum markers such as AFP, hCG, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) aid in diagnosis and monitoring.
+The prognosis for patients with ovarian germ cell tumors varies depending on the type and stage of the tumor. Dysgerminomas and immature teratomas generally have a good prognosis with appropriate treatment. Early-stage tumors have a high cure rate, while advanced-stage tumors require more aggressive treatment.
+== See Also ==
-==Treatment==
-[[File:POvarianCA.png|Diagram of ovarian cancer treatment|thumb|right]]
-The treatment of ovarian germ cell tumors typically involves surgical resection, often followed by chemotherapy. The specific regimen depends on the type and stage of the tumor. Fertility-sparing surgery is often considered in young patients.
-==Prognosis==
-The prognosis for patients with ovarian germ cell tumors is generally favorable, especially for those with early-stage disease. Advances in chemotherapy have significantly improved survival rates.
-==Related Pages==
 * [[Ovarian cancer]]
 * [[Germ cell tumor]]
 * [[Teratoma]]
 * [[Choriocarcinoma]]
+[[File:Schema_HIPEC.png|Diagram of HIPEC procedure|thumb|left]]
+== See Also ==
+* [[Oncology]]
+* [[Gynecology]]
+* [[Reproductive system]]
 [[Category:Ovarian cancer]]
-[[Category:Germ cell neoplasia]]
+[[Category:Germ cell tumors]]