Health Dictionary

Overview

The prognosis of germ cells of the ovary depends on the type of the tumor and its malignant potentials. Possible complications of benign teratomas are a rupture and ovarian torsion also malignant transformation. Prognosis is generally excellent in the mature teratoma, but in case of simultaneous malignant transformation, the 5-year survival rate of patients is approximately [15-30]%. The 5-year survival rate of the patient even with disseminated dysgerminoma at the time of diagnosis is above 90%. The overall 5-year survival rate for yolk sac tumor, embryonal carcinoma and choriocarcinoma are approximately 80%.

Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis

Natural History

The symptoms of ovarian germ cell tumors usually develop in the teenage years with abdominal pain or fullness, and palpable pelvic/abdominal mass.^[1]

Dysgerminomas

Dysgerminoma may be misdiagnosed with ectopic pregnancy given the presence of pelvic mass accompanied with high serum concentrations of B-hCG.^[2]
These tumors tend to spread late and do so through lymphatic system primarily.^[3]

Yolk sac tumor

These tumors tend to grow rapidly and spread to abdominal/pelvic cavity in early stages.^[4]
They are mostly affects women in their second or third decade of life.^[5]

Embryonal carcinoma

These tumors tend to metastasize early.^[6]
They spread through the lymphatic system.

Choriocarcinoma

These tumors are highly malignant and tend to spread locally and within the abdominal cavity.^[6]
They spread early in the course of the tumor.
Non-gestational choriocarcinomas spread through lymphatic system.
Gestational choriocarcinomas spread through Bloodstream.

Complications

Mature teratoma

Common complications of mature teratoma include:^[7]

Ovarian torsion is the most common complication and affects 5% to 10% of the individuals.
- It happens at a greater extent in:^[8]
  - Younger age (10-19 years)
  - Larger tumors
Rupture in < 4% of the affected individuals.^[7]
- Rupture may be associated with leakage of sebaceous contents of the tumor into the peritoneal cavity and leads to granulomatous peritonitis.^[9]
- This complication is very rare and happens in less than 1% of the affected individuals.
Malignant transformation of the tumor may also happen in approximately 2% of affected individuals.^[10]
- The tumor undergoes malignant transformation to squamous cell carcinoma in 80% of them and to adenocarcinoma in the rest of the cases.

Dysgerminoma

Ovarian torsion and acute abdominal pain may occur in < 10% of the cases.^[11]

Prognosis

Only 3% to 5% of ovarian germ cell tumors are malignant which the majority include:^[12]
- Dysgerminomas
- Immature teratoma
- Yolk sac tumor
  - Pure form
  - Part of a mixed germ cell tumor


Prognosis of ovarian germ cell tumors
Mature teratoma	Prognosis is generally excellent in the mature teratoma, but in case of simultaneous malignant transformation, the 5-year survival rate of patients is approximately [15-30]%.^[13]
Immature teratoma	The prognosis of immature teratoma is favorable.^[14] The overall 5-year survival rate is 90%. The 5-year survival for stages III and IV is 75%. Relapse rate is 20% for grade III tumors.
Dysgerminoma	Depending on the stage of the tumor at the time of diagnosis, the prognosis may vary. However, the prognosis is generally regarded as good.^[15] The 5-year survival rate of the patient even with disseminated disease at the time of diagnosis is above 90%. Recurrence of the tumor may occur within 2-years of diagnosis and is curable. For stage A1 the recurrence rate is approximately 20% in 2-years. Poor prognosis is associated with the following factors:^[6] Large tumor size Bilateral involvement Age< 20 or > 40 years Presence of other germ cell neoplasms
Yolk sac tumor	These tumors are highly malignant and tend to spread early.^[6] The survival rate depends on the stage of the tumor: For Stage I–II is 60–100% For Stage III–IV disease is 50–75% after appropriate chemotherapy. The overall 5-year survival rate is 80%.^[14] Relapse rate is 20% overall.
Embryonal carcinoma	These tumors tend to metastasize early.^[6] The survival rate is similar to yolk sac tumor.
Choriocarcinoma	These tumors are highly malignant and tend to spread locally and within the abdominal cavity.^[6] They spread early in the course of the tumor. Survival rate is improved with combination chemotherapy. The majority of patients do not experience the recurrence except those with non-gestational choriocarcinoma. The overall 5-year survival rate is 80%.^[14] Relapse rate is 20% overall.

References

↑ Low, Jeffrey J.H.; Ilancheran, Arunachalam; Ng, Joseph S. (2012). “Malignant ovarian germ-cell tumours”. Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology. 26 (3): 347–355. doi:10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2012.01.002. ISSN 1521-6934.
↑ Rozenholc A, Abdulcadir J, Pelte MF, Petignat P (2012). “A pelvic mass on ultrasonography and high human chorionic gonadotropin level: not always an ectopic pregnancy”. BMJ Case Rep. 2012. doi:10.1136/bcr.01.2012.5577. PMC 4543203. PMID 22669919.
↑ Shaaban, Akram M.; Rezvani, Maryam; Elsayes, Khaled M.; Baskin, Henry; Mourad, Amr; Foster, Bryan R.; Jarboe, Elke A.; Menias, Christine O. (2014). “Ovarian Malignant Germ Cell Tumors: Cellular Classification and Clinical and Imaging Features”. RadioGraphics. 34 (3): 777–801. doi:10.1148/rg.343130067. ISSN 0271-5333.
↑ Stein, Erica B.; Wasnik, Ashish P.; Sciallis, Andrew P.; Kamaya, Aya; Maturen, Katherine E. (2017). “MR Imaging–Pathologic Correlation in Ovarian Cancer”. Magnetic Resonance Imaging Clinics of North America. 25 (3): 545–562. doi:10.1016/j.mric.2017.03.004. ISSN 1064-9689.
↑ Kurman RJ, Norris HJ (December 1976). “Endodermal sinus tumor of the ovary: a clinical and pathologic analysis of 71 cases”. Cancer. 38 (6): 2404–19. PMID 63318.
↑ ^6.0 ^6.1 ^6.2 ^6.3 ^6.4 ^6.5 Chen VW, Ruiz B, Killeen JL, Coté TR, Wu XC, Correa CN (May 2003). “Pathology and classification of ovarian tumors”. Cancer. 97 (10 Suppl): 2631–42. doi:10.1002/cncr.11345. PMID 12733128.
↑ ^7.0 ^7.1 Ayhan, Ali; Bukulmez, Orhan; Genc, Cuneyt; Karamursel, Burcu S.; Ayhan, Ayse (2000). “Mature cystic teratomas of the ovary: case series from one institution over 34 years”. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology. 88 (2): 153–157. doi:10.1016/S0301-2115(99)00141-4. ISSN 0301-2115.
↑ Kim, Min Jae; Kim, Na Young; Lee, Dong-Yun; Yoon, Byung-Koo; Choi, DooSeok (2011). “Clinical characteristics of ovarian teratoma: age-focused retrospective analysis of 580 cases”. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 205 (1): 32.e1–32.e4. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2011.02.044. ISSN 0002-9378.
↑ Comerci JT, Licciardi F, Bergh PA, Gregori C, Breen JL (July 1994). “Mature cystic teratoma: a clinicopathologic evaluation of 517 cases and review of the literature”. Obstet Gynecol. 84 (1): 22–8. PMID 8008317.
↑ Singh P, Yordan EL, Wilbanks GD, Miller AW, Wee A (February 1988). “Malignancy associated with benign cystic teratomas (dermoid cysts) of the ovary”. Singapore Med J. 29 (1): 30–4. PMID 2841767.
↑ AL Husaini, Hamed; Soudy, Hussein; Darwish, Alaa El Din; Ahmed, Mohamed; Eltigani, Amin; AL Mubarak, Mustafa; Sabaa, Amal Abu; Edesa, Wael; AL-Tweigeri, Taher; Al-Badawi, Ismail A. (2012). “Pure dysgerminoma of the ovary: a single institutional experience of 65 patients”. Medical Oncology. 29 (4): 2944–2948. doi:10.1007/s12032-012-0194-z. ISSN 1357-0560.
↑ Smith, Harriet O.; Berwick, Marianne; Verschraegen, Claire F.; Wiggins, Charles; Lansing, Letitia; Muller, Carolyn Y.; Qualls, Clifford R. (2006). “Incidence and Survival Rates for Female Malignant Germ Cell Tumors”. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 107 (5): 1075–1085. doi:10.1097/01.AOG.0000216004.22588.ce. ISSN 0029-7844.
↑ Park, Jeong-Yeol; Kim, Dae-Yeon; Kim, Jong-Hyeok; Kim, Yong-Man; Kim, Young-Tak; Nam, Joo-Hyun (2008). “Malignant transformation of mature cystic teratoma of the ovary: Experience at a single institution”. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology. 141 (2): 173–178. doi:10.1016/j.ejogrb.2008.07.032. ISSN 0301-2115.
↑ ^14.0 ^14.1 ^14.2 “HarvardKey Login”.
↑ Vicus, Danielle; Beiner, Mario E.; Klachook, Shany; Le, Lisa W.; Laframboise, Stephane; Mackay, Helen (2010). “Pure dysgerminoma of the ovary 35 years on: A single institutional experience”. Gynecologic Oncology. 117 (1): 23–26. doi:10.1016/j.ygyno.2009.12.024. ISSN 0090-8258.

[LowIlancheran2012-1] Low, Jeffrey J.H.; Ilancheran, Arunachalam; Ng, Joseph S. (2012). “Malignant ovarian germ-cell tumours”. Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology. 26 (3): 347–355. doi:10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2012.01.002. ISSN 1521-6934.

[pmid22669919-2] Rozenholc A, Abdulcadir J, Pelte MF, Petignat P (2012). “A pelvic mass on ultrasonography and high human chorionic gonadotropin level: not always an ectopic pregnancy”. BMJ Case Rep. 2012. doi:10.1136/bcr.01.2012.5577. PMC 4543203. PMID 22669919.

[ShaabanRezvani2014-3] Shaaban, Akram M.; Rezvani, Maryam; Elsayes, Khaled M.; Baskin, Henry; Mourad, Amr; Foster, Bryan R.; Jarboe, Elke A.; Menias, Christine O. (2014). “Ovarian Malignant Germ Cell Tumors: Cellular Classification and Clinical and Imaging Features”. RadioGraphics. 34 (3): 777–801. doi:10.1148/rg.343130067. ISSN 0271-5333.

[SteinWasnik2017-4] Stein, Erica B.; Wasnik, Ashish P.; Sciallis, Andrew P.; Kamaya, Aya; Maturen, Katherine E. (2017). “MR Imaging–Pathologic Correlation in Ovarian Cancer”. Magnetic Resonance Imaging Clinics of North America. 25 (3): 545–562. doi:10.1016/j.mric.2017.03.004. ISSN 1064-9689.

[pmid63318-5] Kurman RJ, Norris HJ (December 1976). “Endodermal sinus tumor of the ovary: a clinical and pathologic analysis of 71 cases”. Cancer. 38 (6): 2404–19. PMID 63318.

[pmid12733128-6] 6.0 ^6.1 ^6.2 ^6.3 ^6.4 ^6.5 Chen VW, Ruiz B, Killeen JL, Coté TR, Wu XC, Correa CN (May 2003). “Pathology and classification of ovarian tumors”. Cancer. 97 (10 Suppl): 2631–42. doi:10.1002/cncr.11345. PMID 12733128.

[AyhanBukulmez2000-7] 7.0 ^7.1 Ayhan, Ali; Bukulmez, Orhan; Genc, Cuneyt; Karamursel, Burcu S.; Ayhan, Ayse (2000). “Mature cystic teratomas of the ovary: case series from one institution over 34 years”. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology. 88 (2): 153–157. doi:10.1016/S0301-2115(99)00141-4. ISSN 0301-2115.

[KimKim2011-8] Kim, Min Jae; Kim, Na Young; Lee, Dong-Yun; Yoon, Byung-Koo; Choi, DooSeok (2011). “Clinical characteristics of ovarian teratoma: age-focused retrospective analysis of 580 cases”. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 205 (1): 32.e1–32.e4. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2011.02.044. ISSN 0002-9378.

[pmid8008317-9] Comerci JT, Licciardi F, Bergh PA, Gregori C, Breen JL (July 1994). “Mature cystic teratoma: a clinicopathologic evaluation of 517 cases and review of the literature”. Obstet Gynecol. 84 (1): 22–8. PMID 8008317.

[pmid2841767-10] Singh P, Yordan EL, Wilbanks GD, Miller AW, Wee A (February 1988). “Malignancy associated with benign cystic teratomas (dermoid cysts) of the ovary”. Singapore Med J. 29 (1): 30–4. PMID 2841767.

[AL_HusainiSoudy2012-11] AL Husaini, Hamed; Soudy, Hussein; Darwish, Alaa El Din; Ahmed, Mohamed; Eltigani, Amin; AL Mubarak, Mustafa; Sabaa, Amal Abu; Edesa, Wael; AL-Tweigeri, Taher; Al-Badawi, Ismail A. (2012). “Pure dysgerminoma of the ovary: a single institutional experience of 65 patients”. Medical Oncology. 29 (4): 2944–2948. doi:10.1007/s12032-012-0194-z. ISSN 1357-0560.

[SmithBerwick2006-12] Smith, Harriet O.; Berwick, Marianne; Verschraegen, Claire F.; Wiggins, Charles; Lansing, Letitia; Muller, Carolyn Y.; Qualls, Clifford R. (2006). “Incidence and Survival Rates for Female Malignant Germ Cell Tumors”. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 107 (5): 1075–1085. doi:10.1097/01.AOG.0000216004.22588.ce. ISSN 0029-7844.

[ParkKim2008-13] Park, Jeong-Yeol; Kim, Dae-Yeon; Kim, Jong-Hyeok; Kim, Yong-Man; Kim, Young-Tak; Nam, Joo-Hyun (2008). “Malignant transformation of mature cystic teratoma of the ovary: Experience at a single institution”. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology. 141 (2): 173–178. doi:10.1016/j.ejogrb.2008.07.032. ISSN 0301-2115.

[urlHarvardKey_Login-14] 14.0 ^14.1 ^14.2 “HarvardKey Login”.

[VicusBeiner2010-15] Vicus, Danielle; Beiner, Mario E.; Klachook, Shany; Le, Lisa W.; Laframboise, Stephane; Mackay, Helen (2010). “Pure dysgerminoma of the ovary 35 years on: A single institutional experience”. Gynecologic Oncology. 117 (1): 23–26. doi:10.1016/j.ygyno.2009.12.024. ISSN 0090-8258.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]