title: Serum alpha-fetoprotein as a marker for the effect of post-operative radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy in eight cases of ovarian endodermal sinus tumour.
abstract: The clinical pathological findings of eight cases of ovarian endodermal sinus tumour (yolk sac tumour) are presented. Histological exmination in all eight cases showed a typical endodermal sinus tumour pattern, and in six of the patients other tumour elements such as dysgerminoma, choriocarcinoma, malignant teratoma, endometriosis, and a dermoid cyst were also found. Six patients had increased serum alpha-fetoprotein concentration in the post-operative period, and two patients had a normal concentration 27 and 35 days after operation, respectively. In all cases except one, a close correlation between serum alpha-fetoprotein and progression or regression of tumour was found. Serum alphafetoprotein was thus found to be a reliable parameter in post-operative radiation and/or chemotherapy (VAMBLE). In one patient who died 10 months after operation with widespread endodermal sinus tumour growth, only a small terminal increase in serum alpha-fetoprotein concentration was found. Four of the eight women are still alive with normal alpha-fetoprotein concentration, and without clinical evidence of tumour disease.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000378:metabolism; D004407:Dysgerminoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D010053:Ovary / Q000473:pathology; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000652:urine
chemical_list: D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins