Etymed
dysgerminoma
Definition
A malignant ovarian germ cell tumor composed of primitive, undifferentiated germ cells, analogous to testicular seminoma. It is the most common malignant ovarian germ cell tumor and is highly sensitive to radiation and chemotherapy.
Clinical context
A 17-year-old female presents with progressive abdominal distension and a palpable pelvic mass. Serum LDH is markedly elevated, and beta-hCG is mildly elevated. CT imaging reveals a large, solid, homogeneous ovarian mass with minimal necrosis. Surgical exploration reveals a unilateral ovarian tumor. Histopathology shows sheets of large, uniform cells with clear cytoplasm separated by fibrous septa infiltrated with lymphocytes. The diagnosis is ovarian dysgerminoma, stage IA. She undergoes fertility-sparing surgery with unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy followed by surveillance.
Mnemonic
DYS (disordered) + GERM (seed/germ cell) + OMA (tumor) = a disordered germ cell tumor. Dysgerminoma is the female equivalent of seminoma — both are germ cell tumors with excellent prognosis.