Can women get germ cell tumors?

Can women get germ cell tumors?

Ovarian germ cell tumor is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the germ (egg) cells of the ovary. Germ cell tumors begin in the reproductive cells (egg or sperm) of the body. Ovarian germ cell tumors usually occur in teenage girls or young women and most often affect just one ovary.

How is a germ cell tumor diagnosed?

A doctor may recommend performing a biopsy to determine the type of germ cell tumor in the body. This is done by removing tissue or fluid from the tumor for examination under a microscope. The type of biopsy performed depends on the location and size of the tumor.

What is the most common malignant germ cell neoplasm in the ovary to occur in pure form?

Dysgerminoma, the most common malignant germ cell tumor, usually manifests as a solid mass.

What is the most common malignant tumor of the ovary?

Epithelial ovarian cancer, which arises from the surface of the ovary (the epithelium), is the most common ovarian cancer. Fallopian Tube Cancer and Primary Peritoneal Cancer are also included within this designation. Germ Cell ovarian cancer arises from the reproductive cells of the ovaries, and is rare.

Is ovarian germ cell tumor curable?

Ovarian germ cell tumors grow in the ovaries. The tumors are usually benign (noncancerous), but they can be malignant (cancerous). Treatments include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Most ovarian germ cell tumors are treatable.

Where do germ cell tumors come from?

Germ cell tumors are growths of cells that form from reproductive cells. The tumors may be cancerous or not cancerous. Most germ cell tumors occur in the testicles or the ovaries. Some germ cell tumors occur in other areas of the body, such as the abdomen, brain and chest, though it’s not clear why.

Are all germ cell tumors cancerous?

Is germ cell tumor curable?

Most ovarian germ cell tumors are treatable. For malignant tumors, the prognosis depends on the tumor’s size and if cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

What is a germ cell neoplasm?

Germ cell tumors are growths of cells that form from reproductive cells. The tumors may be cancerous or not cancerous. Most germ cell tumors occur in the testicles or the ovaries.

Which is the most common testicular germ cell neoplasm?

Two of the most common germ cell tumors are seminoma and nonseminoma.

• Seminomas make up about half of all germ cell tumors. They usually grow slowly.
• Nonseminomas are often more aggressive than seminomas, and more likely to spread beyond the testicle.

What type of tumors grow in ovaries?

Types

• Surface epithelial tumors – This is the most common type, developing in the cells that line the ovary surface.
• Stromal tumors – This type develops in the area of the ovary that produces reproductive hormones.
• Germ cell tumors – This develops in the cells that become eggs, most often in younger women.

What is ovarian malignancy?

Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the ovaries. The ovaries — each about the size of an almond — produce eggs (ova) as well as the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Ovarian cancer is a growth of cells that forms in the ovaries. The cells multiply quickly and can invade and destroy healthy body tissue.

Can a ovarian tumor be a germ cell tumor?

Ovarian malignant mixed germ cell tumor with clear cell carcinoma in a postmenopausal woman Malignant germ cell tumors of the ovary are very rare and account for about 2-5% of all ovarian tumors of germ origin.

What kind of test is used for ovarian germ cell tumor?

Many of the tests used to diagnose ovarian germ cell tumor are also used for staging. The following tests and procedures may also be used for staging: PET scan (positron emission tomography scan): A procedure to find malignant tumor cells in the body. A small amount of radioactive glucose (sugar) is injected into a vein.

How can you tell if you have a germ cell tumor?

Ovarian germ cell tumor is a disease in which malignant ( cancer) cells form in the germ (egg) cells of the ovary. Signs of ovarian germ cell tumor are swelling of the abdomen or vaginal bleeding after menopause. Tests that examine the ovaries, pelvic area, blood, and ovarian tissue are used to detect (find) and diagnose ovarian germ cell tumor.

How is germ cell cancer treated in women?

For most types and stages of germ cell cancers. Most types and stages of germ cell cancers of the ovary are treated the same way, with surgery and chemotherapy (chemo). Surgery: In general, all women with malignant germ cell tumors will have the same staging surgery that is done for epithelial ovarian cancer.