Yolk Sac Tumor

Definition

Is the second most common malignant ovarian germ cell tumor (Ovarian Stromal and Germ Cell Tumors). It occurs in childhood, adolescence (Ovarian Tumors During Childhood and Adolescence), and adult life (most <30 years), can be pure or a component of a mixed germ cell tumor. It almost always develops as a unilateral solid or solid and cystic tumor. Histologically, it displays a wide range of histologic patterns (microcystic, endodermal sinus, solid, alveolar-glandular, papillary, myxomatous, macrocystic, hepatoid, primitive endodermal, polyvesicular vitelline). The classic pattern shows perivascular formations (Schiller-Duval Bodies) and eosinophilic globules that contain alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). It is a highly malignant neoplasm that is radioresistant but responds to combination chemotherapy.