Dysgerminoma
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| ICD-9 | 183.0 |
|---|---|
| ICD-O: | 9060/3 |
A dysgerminoma is a type of germ cell ovarian neoplasm, and is the most common type of malignant germ cell ovarian carcinoma. Most dysgerminomas occur in adolescence and early adult life; about 5% occur in pre-pubertal children. Dysgerminoma is extremely rare after age 50.
Abnormal gonads (due to gonadal dysgenesis and androgen insensitivity syndrome) have a high risk of developing a dysgerminoma. Most dysgerminomas are associated with elevated serum lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), which is sometimes used as a tumour marker. Dysgerminomas present as bilateral tumours in 10% of patients and, in a further 10%, there is microscopic tumour in the other ovary.
On gross examination, dysgerminomas present with a smooth, bosselated (knobby) external surface, and is soft, fleshy and either cream-coloured, gray, pink or tan when cut. Microscopic examination typically reveals uniform cells that resemble primordial germ cells.Typically, the stroma contains lymphocytes and about 20% of patients have sarcoid-like granulomas.
Metastases are most often present in the lymph nodes. Dysgerminomas are very sensitive to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, often leading to excellent prognosis.
Dysgerminomas can be located in the brain, usually arising in the hypothalamic or epiphysial regions.
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