Germ cell tumors are neoplasms derived from germ cells. In females, germ cell tumours account for 30% of ovarian tumours, but only 1 to 3% of ovarian cancers in North America. In younger women germ cell lesions are more common, thus in patients under the age of 21, 60% of ovarian tumours are of the germ cell type, and up to one-third are malignant. In males, germ cell tumours occur typically after puberty and are malignant (testicular cancer). Germ cell tumours may develop outside of the gonads.

Classification

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(ICD-O codes are provided where available.)

Benign

• (9080/0) Mature teratoma- the most common variant is the dermoid cyst (9084/0), or benign cystic teratoma, a common ovarian neoplasm, typically not cancerous.

Malignant

• (9080/3) Immature teratoma
• (9060/3) Dysgerminoma
• () Yolk sac tumour (Endodermal sinus tumor)
• () Embryonal carcinoma
• (9072/3) Polyembryoma
• () Choriocarcinoma
• (9073/1) Gonadoblastoma
• Mixed lesions

The general approach to histologic classification is the same as for the testis.

See also

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• Germ cell ovarian cancer

Gynecology Oncology