Germ Cell Tumors of the Ovary

Ovarian germ cell tumors are rare malignancies that occur in young women. Histologically they are classified as dysgerminoma, yolk sac tumor, embryonal carcinoma, polyembryoma, nongestational choriocarcinoma, and teratomas and mixed cell tumors. Due to the development of cisplatin-based chemotherapy, virtually all patients with early-stage, completely resected ovarian germ cell tumors will survive after careful surgical staging and three courses of adjuvant bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin. Furthermore, 70-80% of patients with incompletely resected or advanced tumors will be long-term survivors. Acute toxicity of treatment is relatively modest. Late consequences of chemotherapy are limited. Efforts should concentrate on fertility preservation for patients who desire subsequent pregnancies.