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Management of Ovarian Germ Cell Tumors

David M. Gershenson

From the Department of Gynecologic Oncology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

Address reprint requests to David M. Gershenson, MD, Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Unit 1362, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, PO Box 301439, Houston, TX 77230-1439; e-mail: dgershen{at}mdanderson.org

Purpose: To review contemporary management of malignant ovarian germ cell tumors (MOGCT).

Design: The literature on the topic of MOGCT is reviewed, including pathology, prognostic factors, surgical strategies, postoperative therapy, late effects of therapy, and treatment of recurrence.

Results: Prognostic factors for MOGCT include the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics staging system's stage, residual disease, histologic type, and elevation of serum tumor markers. Fertility-sparing surgery is possible in a large proportion of patients. The importance of comprehensive surgical staging is somewhat controversial. For patients with advanced-stage disease, maximum cytoreductive surgery appears to be beneficial. Although second-look surgery is not recommended routinely, selected patients may benefit from secondary cytoreduction. For those patients who require postoperative chemotherapy, standard therapy consists of the combination of bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin. However, there is a growing trend toward surveillance; this strategy continues to be studied. Although premature menopause may occur in a small proportion of patients, at least 80% of those who undergo fertility-sparing surgery and chemotherapy may expect to preserve reproductive function. For patients with early-stage disease, cure rates approach 100%. For those with advanced-stage disease, cure rates are reportedly at least 75%.

Conclusion: MOGCT is a rare malignancy that principally affects girls and young women. With optimal therapy, the prognosis is excellent, and most patients may retain reproductive function.

Author's disclosures of potential conflicts of interest and author contributions are found at the end of this article.

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