Germ Cell Ovarian Tumors

Cathy Burnweit, MD, Mary E Fallat, MD, Daniel von Allmen, MD

Introduction

Germ cell tumors arise from the pleuripotential primordial germ cell and form the commonest group of pediatric ovarian neoplasms comprising between 60 and 80% of all such neoplasms [1]. This is different from the adult population where epithelial neoplasms predominate. Almost half of germ cell tumors in girls arise in the ovary. Germ cell tumors found elsewhere are presumed to result from the rudimentary postmeiotic germ cells “getting lost” in the migration from their yolk sac origins to the gonads.

see also Ovarian Tumors and Extragonadal Germ Cell Tumors

Content in these topics is referenced in SCORE Ovarian and Adnexal Problems overview

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Last updated: January 30, 2022