A Clinical Study on Malignant Germ Cell Tumor of Ovary

Kim, Yong Sik; Jo, Myoung Sook; Kim, Cheol Hong; Kim, Ki Min; Jo, Moon Kyo; Rim, So Yi; Ki, Da Rin; Lee, Jae Young; Kim, Seok Mo; Choi, Ho Sun

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
to evaluate the clinicopathologic characteristics of patients with ovarian malignant germ cell tumor.
METHODS
We reviewed records of women who had malignant germ cell tumors of the ovary from 1991-2000.
RESULTS
Thirty-seven women had surgical resections of malignant ovarian germ cell tumors and most received adjuvant therapy. Twenty-five women (68%) presented with stage I disease, and 12 (32%) had more advanced disease. Histology subtypes were: immature teratoma (n=16), dysgerminoma (n=9), yolk sac tumor (n=8), choriocarcinoma (n=2), embryonal carcinoma (n=1), and mixed germ cell tumor (n=1). The frequency of positive tumor markers were aFP, CA-125, beta-hCG, CA 19-9 and LDH in decreasing order. The mean age of the patients at presentation was 23.9 years (4-58). Surgical management of the 32 patients consisted of unilateral oophorectomy, or salpingo-oophorectomy, 1 woman with stage III disease underwent bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and 4 women underwent total abdominal hysterctomy, bilateral or unilateral adnexectomy. Thirty-two women were treated with adjuvant combination chemotherapy (BEP, VAC, VBP) according to indications. The 5-year survival rate was 100%, and 5-year disease-free rate was 91.8%. Among twelve patients who attempted pregnancy, 8 succeeded in it and delivered normal full term babies.
CONCLUSION
Current therapeutic strategies can allow most women with ovarian malignant germ cell tumors to have conservative surgery without compromising survival and to preserve their reproductive potential.