What is a dysgerminoma?

What is a dysgerminoma?

(DIS-jer-mih-NOH-muh) A type of cancer that begins in germ cells in females. Germ cells are cells that form sperm in males or eggs in females. Dysgerminomas occur most often in the ovaries, but they may also occur in other areas of the body, including the central nervous system.

Is dysgerminoma rare?

Dysgerminoma is extremely rare after age 50. Dysgerminoma occurs in both ovaries in 10% of patients and, in a further 10%, there is microscopic tumor in the other ovary. Abnormal gonads (due to gonadal dysgenesis and androgen insensitivity syndrome) have a high risk of developing a dysgerminoma.

How common is dysgerminoma?

The most commonly occurring GCT is the dysgerminoma, which accounts for approximately 2% of all ovarian cancers. Although rare, dysgerminomas are important irrespective of incidence because they most commonly affect women of reproductive age (ie, < 30 y).

Can dysgerminoma be benign?

Dysgerminoma: This is the most common type of malignant ovarian germ cell tumor. Mature teratoma (dermoid cyst or ovarian cyst): This is the most common type of benign ovarian germ cell tumor. These noncancerous tumors usually grow in teenage girls and young women.

Is dysgerminoma a germ cell?

Dysgerminoma is the most common malignant ovarian germ cell tumor of children and adolescents, and makes up one third of malignant ovarian GCTs. Pathologically, dysgerminoma is the ovarian counterpart of the seminoma of the testis and the germinoma of extragonadal sites.

What is the most common malignant ovarian tumor?

Epithelial ovarian cancer, which arises from the surface of the ovary (the epithelium), is the most common ovarian cancer. Fallopian Tube Cancer and Primary Peritoneal Cancer are also included within this designation. Germ Cell ovarian cancer arises from the reproductive cells of the ovaries, and is rare.

Are Dysgerminoma radiosensitive?

Ovarian dysgerminoma is a highly radiosensitive malignant tumor occurring in young age group. The conventional treatment was total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy followed by radiotherapy.

Are dysgerminoma radiosensitive?

Is Dysgerminoma sensitive to radiotherapy?

This is suggested for two reasons. First, dysgerminomas are highly responsive to both radiation and platinum-based chemotherapy, so adjuvant therapy for advanced-stage disease and treatment of recurrence are typically very successful.

What causes Dysgerminoma?

Dysgerminoma: This slow-growing cancer begins in female germ cells and causes dysregulation of the hormone beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG), which the body produces at higher levels when pregnant. Dysgerminoma is the most common type of ovarian germ cell tumor.

Where does a dysgerminoma occur in the body?

A dysgerminoma is a type of germ cell tumor; it usually is malignant and usually occurs in the ovary.

What kind of tumor is an ovarian dysgerminoma?

Overview of Ovarian Dysgerminomas. A dysgerminoma is a tumor of the ovary that is composed of primitive, undifferentiated germ cells. Germ cell tumors arise from primordial germ cells of the ovary and the testis; however, pathogenesis of the ovarian germ cell tumors is unknown.

Which is the most common marker for dysgerminoma?

Most dysgerminomas are associated with elevated serum lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), which is sometimes used as a tumor marker.

Can a Sertoli cell tumor be mistaken for a dysgerminoma?

Sertoli cell tumors may be mistaken for dysgerminoma when tubules are indistinct and/or solid, especially if they are poorly fixed. However, Sertoli cell tumors do not usually have a background lymphocytic infiltrate; and they express sex cord stromal markers such as calretinin, inhibin, and steroidogenic factor-1, and they lack germ cell markers.