Ovarian germ cell tumors form when germ cells in the ovary become abnormal and begin to grow and divide too quickly. Normally, ovarian germ cells develop into eggs. Teratomas, dysgerminomas, yolk sac tumors, embryonal carcinoma, and choriocarcinoma are examples of germ cell tumors.
Ovarian Germ Cell
Very difficult to detect, ovarian germ cell tumor is a type of ovarian cancer that begins in a womans eggs.
Abnormal cell production causes the tumors to develop in germ cells, which are responsible for producing a womans eggs in her pair of ovaries. Although this type of tumor is very rare, its 5-year survival rate is high, with 9 out of 10 people successfully treated for this disease.
There are actually 4 common sub-types of ovarian germ cell tumors but all can be treated with radiation therapy, chemotherapy or surgery. In some cases, these treatments are combined to help a woman beat this cancer.
Symptoms often appear late with this disease. However, see your doctor immediately if you notice changes in your menstrual cycle, have frequent bloating or feel pain in your back, pelvis or stomach
Recently Answered
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Portsmouth Regional Hospital answeredIn general, ovarian germ cell tumors develop when the DNA in the cells in the ovary changes or mutates. Then the cells start to grow and divide at a faster rate than cells in normal tissue. Some of the genes involved are proto-oncogenes, which normally control cell growth and division. Mutated proto-oncogenes are called oncogenes. KIT is one such proto-oncogene that when mutated allows for abnormal growth and division in ovarian germ cells and the formation of an ovarian germ cell tumor. KIT mutations are associated with dysgerminomas, the most common type of germ cell tumor.
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Portsmouth Regional Hospital answered
Ovarian germ cell tumors enlarge more quickly than many non-germ cell ovarian tumors. This rapid growth leads to stretching of the capsule that surrounds the ovary, bleeding, or even tissue death. This can cause pain in the region of your pelvis. Also, you may experience constipation if the tumor exerts pressure on your colon or rectum. Finally, the enlarged ovary may twist, leading to sudden onset severe abdominal pain that may be misdiagnosed as appendicitis.
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Portsmouth Regional Hospital answered
While risk factors for epithelial ovarian cancer are well defined, doctors and scientists know very little about risk factors for ovarian germ cell tumors. People with certain rare genetic conditions, however, may be more likely to develop this form of cancer. Swyer syndrome is one such condition.
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Portsmouth Regional Hospital answered
When diagnosing an ovarian germ cell tumor, the doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms and medical history. Then, you will likely have a pelvic exam so that the doctor can more closely examine your genitalia and pelvic organs. Ultrasound or computed tomography (CT) allow for visualization of your uterus, ovaries, and other pelvic and abdominal organs. Ovarian germ cell tumors can spread to your lymph nodes, so the doctor may choose to do a test called a lymphangiogram. During this test, the doctor will take x-ray pictures while allowing dye to travel through the vessels and nodes that compose your lymphatic system. Any blockages in the flow of the dye may reflect cancerous spread. The doctor may also investigate your ovaries and other pelvic organs by performing surgery. Finally, the doctor can test your blood for the presence of tumor markers, proteins released from cancerous cells.
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Portsmouth Regional Hospital answered
Ovarian germ cell tumor symptoms include constipation, pain, and increased abdominal girth. You may notice vaginal bleeding, even after you have completed menopause. These symptoms may reflect any number of benign or malignant underlying processes. However, you should speak to your doctor any time you have symptoms that do not resolve. Bleeding from your vagina that occurs after the completion of menopause is of particular concern, as is swelling of the abdomen with no known cause.
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Portsmouth Regional Hospital answered
Ovarian germ cell tumors are treated with some combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Surgery may involve removal of the entire uterus or the doctor may only remove one ovary and its associated fallopian tube. Radiation therapy involves the use of a high-energy beam to kill cancer cells located in a discrete location. Chemotherapeutic agents are often injected into the blood stream and can kill cancer cells anywhere in the body.
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Portsmouth Regional Hospital answered
The medications used to treat ovarian germ cell tumors include vincristine, dactinomycin, cyclophosphamide, etoposide, bleomycin, and cisplatin. In general, these and other chemotherapeutic agents work by preferentially targeting cells that are growing and dividing too quickly. Cancerous cells grow and divide more quickly than cells in normal tissue, and thus these cells are affected by this type of medication.
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Portsmouth Regional Hospital answered
Complementary and alternative medicine, often abbreviated CAM, may be divided into complementary medicine, which is used with traditional medicine, and alternative medicine, which is used instead of traditional medicine. Examples include meditation, nutrition supplements, acupuncture, and massage. Currently, scientists are running a clinical trial to investigate the use of acupuncture as an adjunct to traditional medicine in the management of germ cell tumors. This complementary therapy may help patients with nausea and vomiting related to cancer treatments.
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Portsmouth Regional Hospital answered
Ovarian germ cell tumor prognosis depends on a number of factors including tumor type, size, stage, and your overall health. Yolk sac tumors carry a poor prognosis compared to dysgerminomas. Also, those with markedly elevated tumor markers A fetoprotein (AFP) and B human chorionic gonadotropin (B HCG) carry a poorer prognosis. Your doctor can help you figure out your prognosis.