RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to review the clinicopathologic features, recurrent rate, survival rate and controversable issues in the treatment of the ovarian malignant germ cell tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From August, 1991 to November, 1998 thirty-one patients with malignant germ cell tumors of the ovary treated in the department of obstetrics and gynecology, Kosin University Medical college, were eligible and assessable. Demographic characteristics, symptoms, signs, stage, tumor grade, mode of therapy and results of follow up were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: The patients with malignant germ cell tumor constituted 6.37% of all ovarian malignancies during this period. Histologic subtypes were 8 dysgerminoma(25.8%), 7 endodermal sinus tumor(22.6%), 10 immature teratoma(32.3%), 3 mixed germ cell tumor(9.7%), 3 choriocarcinoma(9.7%). The age of the patients ranged from 10 to 40 years (mean +/-S.D.; 24.26 +/- 7.51). The most common symptom was abdominal pain(38.7%). Most had stageI(18 cases, 58.0%) or stageIII(5 cases, 16.2%) diseases. All patients underwent surgery as the initial treatment, and nine patients received more than one operation. Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapeutic regimens were VAC, VBP, EP, BEP, EMA, and EMA CO. The mean follow up duration was 26.0(+/- S.D.; +/- 20.3) months. The 2-year and 5-year survival rate were 91.97%(+/- S.E.; +/- 0.05) and 86.86%(+/- S.E.; +/- 0.07).