Management of malignant ovarian germ cell tumors.
Malignant ovarian germ cell tumors are rare, highly curable cancers of young women. The majority of patients can be cured with either fertility-preserving surgery alone or a combination of surgery and chemotherapy. Relapses occur in 10% to 20% of patients, and the significant proportion of them can be salvaged with chemotherapy. There is no evidence that treatment for malignant ovarian germ cell tumors will adversely affect menstrual or reproductive functions, increase future pregnancy loss, or increase the risk of congenital malformations of the fetus. Late effects, such as secondary leukemia, from chemotherapy are reported but rare.


BACKGROUND
Obstetricians & Gynecologists and Family Physicians.


OBJECTIVE
After completing this CME activity, physicians should be better able to diagnose ovarian germ cell tumors, outline management of malignant ovarian germ cell tumors, and understand the impact of treatment on fertility and late effects.
*Clinical Lecturer, Medical Oncology, Cambridge University Hospitals Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK.
Christine A
CA
Parkinson
Helen M
HM
Hatcher
Thankamma V
TV
Ajithkumar
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009373:Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D010052:Ovariectomy; D011379:Prognosis
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor