Definition
Germ cell tumors of the ovary are uncommon but aggressive types of ovarian cancer seen most often in young women or preteen and adolescent girls and are generally curable if found and treated early. Use of combination chemotherapy after initial debulking surgery has dramatically improved the prognosis for many of these tumors. Ovarian germ cell tumors can be difficult to diagnose early. Often there are no symptoms in the early stages. Because young girls have yet to have a gynecologic examination, the only symptoms may be a swelling or hard distended abdomen without weight gain (with or without pain). Tests which may be used to indicate this type of tumor are an ultrasound or CT scan. (Also for older patients, the first step would be an internal (pelvic) exam.) Prognosis and choice of treatment depend on the type of tumor and stage of the tumor (whether it affects one ovary, both, or has spread to other places).
Classification of Ovarian Germ Cell Tumors
Major types:
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See Also
(2012) Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. In: Schwab M (ed) Encyclopedia of cancer, 3rd edn. Springer, Berlin/Heidelberg, p 397. doi:10.1007/978-3-642-16483-5_6901
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(2012) Salpingo-oophorectomy. In: Schwab M (ed) Encyclopedia of cancer, 3rd edn. Springer, Berlin/Heidelberg, p 3332. doi:10.1007/978-3-642-16483-5_6903
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Schwab, M. (2014). Ovarian Germ Cell Tumors. In: Schwab, M. (eds) Encyclopedia of Cancer. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27841-9_6904-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27841-9_6904-2
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Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
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