Germ cell tumours Flashcards
Most common demographic of germ cell tumors?
Adolescent girls
Types of germ cell tumours
- Teratoma
- Dysgerminoma
- Yolk sac tumour
- Choriocarcinoma
Which is the most common type of germ cell tumor?
Teratoma accounts for 90% of germ cell tumours
Teratoma definition
Benign - dermoid cyst
Malignant - Teratoma
Contain a combination of ectodermal (e.g. hair), mesodermal (e.g. bone) and endodermal tissue
Prevalence of Dysgerminoma
Most common malignant germ cell tumour
Dysgerminomas - how does it present
- Bilateral in 20% of cases
2. Secrete BhCG
What do Dysgerminomas secrete
Beta HCG and LDH
What condition is Dysgerminoma associated with
Turner’s syndrome
Yolk sac tumor
second most common germ cell tumor
- is malignant
- 15% of all germ cell tumors
Which tumor secretes AFP?
Yolk sac tumors
How do yolk sac tumors present?
- Rarely bilateral
2. Large solid mass which presents acutely with torsin
Choriocarcinoma demographic
- Very rare
2. Present in young girls with irregular bleeding and high Beta HCG level
Choriocarcinoma - what is it characterised by?
- Malignant
- Part of gestational trophoblastic disease
- Characterised by early haematogenous spread to the lungs
How do germ cell tumors characteristically present?
- Woman presents with a large solid ovarian mass which is rapidly growing
- May also present acute with torsion
Ix of Germ cell tumours
- Tumor markers
- MRI - assess morphology
- CT scan of liver and lymph noodes
- Chest X ray to exclude pulmonary metastases