Germ Cell Ovarian Cancer

Disclaimer:
This blog is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Content is sourced from third parties, and we do not guarantee accuracy or accept any liability for its use. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical guidance.

What is Germ Cell Ovarian Cancer?

Germ cell ovarian cancer arises from ovarian germ cells (egg precursors), comprising 2-5% of ovarian cancers, primarily in young women/teens. Types include teratoma (mature/immature), dysgerminoma (most common), yolk sac tumor, choriocarcinoma, embryonal carcinoma. In 2025, part of ~20,890 ovarian cases, curable even advanced.

Symptoms

Symptoms include abdominal pain/swelling, bloating, irregular menses, precocious puberty in girls (hormone production), or mass. Advanced causes ascites, bowel obstruction. In 2025, symptoms in young prompt imaging.

Causes

Causes include genetic abnormalities, with risk factors like gonadal dysgenesis (Turner syndrome). No strong environmental links. In 2025, chromosomal anomalies (e.g., isochromosome 12p in dysgerminoma) are key.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis uses ultrasound/CT/MRI for mass, tumor markers (AFP, beta-hCG, LDH), and biopsy/laparoscopy for histology. Staging surgical. In 2025, molecular testing refines subtypes.

Treatment

Surgery (fertility-sparing unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy in young) with staging. Chemotherapy (BEP: bleomycin, etoposide, cisplatin) for stages II-IV or high-risk I. Radiation rare. In 2025, reduced toxicity regimens maintain efficacy.

Future Outlook

In 2025, 5-year survival is >90% overall, 95% for localised, 75% for advanced. Fertility preservation succeeds in 80%. By 2030, targeted therapies could raise advanced survival to 90%.

Sources

The information for germ cell ovarian cancer is sourced from NCI’s “Treatment of Ovarian Germ Cell Tumors” for treatment; PMC’s “Updates in the Management of Malignant Ovarian Germ Cell Tumors” for 2025 updates; Cleveland Clinic’s “Ovarian Germ Cell Tumors: Causes & Treatment” for causes; PMC’s “Cancer of the ovary, fallopian tube, and peritoneum: 2025 update” for classification; PMC’s “Rapid sequential development of multiple malignancies following germ cell tumor treatment” for risks; MyOvarianCancerTeam’s “Ovarian Germ Cell Tumors” for symptoms; OncoDaily’s “Ovarian Cancer: Symptoms, Causes, Stages, Diagnosis and Treatment” for stages; Macmillan’s “Germ cell ovarian cancer” for overview; Ada’s “Ovarian Cancer: Symptoms, Stages, Causes & Treatment” for treatment; Not These Ovaries’ “Understanding Ovarian Cancer: Symptoms, Risk Factors, and Early Detection” for detection.