Have you ever heard that there are different types of tumors that develop in the ovaries? Some of them are not dangerous, but some of them are something to be concerned about. Today we are going to talk about a special type of tumor that develops in the ovaries of women. These are called 'Ovarian Germ Cell Tumors'. Although the name is a bit complicated, let's understand it simply.
What are these 'Ovarian Germ Cell Tumors' that occur in the ovaries?
Simply put, this type of tumor develops from the germ cells inside a woman's ovaries. As you know, the ovaries are two of the most important organs in the female reproductive system. These are the ones that produce eggs during your reproductive years. So, the germ cells inside these ovaries are the ones that later become eggs. However, sometimes, several of these cells come together and form an abnormal tumor. That's what we call 'germ cell tumors'.
Most of the time, these cysts develop in only one ovary, but very rarely, they can be seen in both ovaries.
The important thing is that the majority of these germ cell tumors are benign . That is, they are not cancerous. However, very rarely, they can become malignant . If that happens, these tumors can spread and damage healthy tissue. These cancerous germ cell tumors are a very rare type of ovarian cancer.
Are there types of these 'germ cell tumors'?
Yes, there are different types of these nuts too. Let's see what are the main types that are seen:
- Mature teratoma (dermoid cyst): These are the most common, benign type of germ cell tumor. They usually occur in people in their teens, twenties, or thirties. They are sometimes called teratoma because they can contain hair or teeth. But don't worry, they are not cancerous.
- Dysgerminoma: This is the most common type of malignant germ cell tumor. However, 70% of these are said to be non-aggressive. They are also very treatable. They most often develop in people in their twenties and thirties.
- Immature teratoma: This is a type of cancerous (malignant) tumor that grows more slowly . It can spread from the ovary to other parts of the body (metastasis). It most often occurs in people who are 20 years old or younger.
- Yolk sac tumors (also known as endodermal sinus tumors): These are also malignant.A type of tumor. These grow very quickly and spread quickly. They are most common in people aged 20 or younger. They can also occur in young children who have not yet started menstruating (about 40%).
- Mixed germ cell tumors: These are malignant tumors. They may contain one or more other types of tumors. Most often, they are a combination of dysgerminoma and yolk sac tumors.
In addition to these main types, there are several other very rare types of germ cell tumors:
- Embryonal carcinoma
- Choriocarcinoma
- Polyembryoma
How common is this condition?
Ovarian germ cell tumors are the most common type of tumor in women of reproductive age and younger. For example, 70% of ovarian tumors in women between the ages of 10 and 30 are of this type. However, they are less common in women over the age of 40.
The good news is that about 95% of these germ cell tumors are benign, mature teratomas . Germ cell tumors account for only 2% to 3% of ovarian cancers.
What are the symptoms? How do you recognize it?
These germ cell tumors can be difficult to recognize in the early stages. Benign tumors may not cause any symptoms until they are large. Malignant tumors may not show symptoms until the cancer has spread.
Therefore, it is important to pay attention to these symptoms:
- Abdominal pain, discomfort, or pain when pressed. (This can start suddenly and be severe.)
- A full stomach, sometimes with only the stomach getting bigger while other parts of the body become thinner.
- Changes in bowel function , such as diarrhea or constipation.
- Changes in eating habits , such as loss of appetite.
- Irregular vaginal bleeding , which means bleeding outside of menstruation or after menopause.
These nuts can produce certain hormones, which can cause some changes in your body. For example:
- Early pregnancy symptoms like fatigue, nausea, and breast tenderness.
- Early puberty , but this is very rare.
Why do these 'germ cell tumors' form?
Ovarian germ cell tumors are caused by mutations in the sex cells, or reproductive cells , which combine to form a tumor. Experts are still researching why this happens and who is more likely to develop them.
Although these cysts can develop in anyone with ovaries, they are most commonly seen in women of reproductive age and younger.
What complications can this cause?
Treatment is very important because, even if a tumor is benign , it can rupture or cause ovarian torsion . The larger the tumor, the more likely this is to happen.
Removing the tumor can prevent these complications.
How do doctors diagnose this?
After asking about your symptoms, your doctor will perform several tests. The most important of these is a pelvic exam to check for lumps or other abnormalities in your abdomen, pelvis, and vagina. You may also need to have scans and blood tests.
- Imaging tests: If an ovarian germ cell tumor is suspected, doctors will first do a transvaginal ultrasound . This can look inside your abdomen to see if there are any tumors. In addition, a CT scan (Computed Tomography - CT scan) or an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging - MRI) may also be done to help diagnose the condition. These scans can show more detail than an ultrasound.
- Blood tests: You may have a blood test called a serum tumor marker test . This checks the levels of certain substances in your body. High levels of things like alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) , lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) , or human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in the blood can be a sign of ovarian germ cell tumors.
To make an accurate diagnosis, the doctor will need to remove the tumor or the entire affected ovary for examination. A pathologist , a doctor who specializes in tissue analysis, will examine these cells in a lab to determine what type of tumor it is and whether it is malignant or benign.
If it is a cancerous condition, what are its 'stages'?
If a tumor is malignant , doctors will classify the cancer as part of the diagnosis. This is called staging . They will use scans such as a CT scan or PET scan (positron emission tomography scan) to measure the size of the tumor and find out exactly where it is. This information will help your doctor decide what kind of treatment you need and what the results of treatment will be.
Generally, the lower the 'stage', the greater the chance of curing the cancer.
The stages of cancerous ovarian germ cell tumors are as follows:
- Stage 1: The cancer is only in your ovaries.
- Stage 2: The cancer has spread to other tissues in your pelvis, such as the fallopian tubes or uterus.
- Stage 3: The cancer has spread to lymph nodes or to the lining of your pelvic organs or abdomen ( peritoneum ), but has not spread beyond the abdomen.
- Stage 4 (metastatic cancer): The cancer has spread to your liver or spleen, or to tissues and organs outside your abdomen, such as your lungs.
What are the treatments for this?
Most germ cell tumors can be treated and cured. The treatment plan you receive will depend on the size of the tumor and whether it is malignant (dangerous) or benign (benign).
However, if you are of reproductive age, your doctor will try to preserve your ovaries as much as possible to preserve your fertility.
Treatment of benign ovarian germ cell tumors
Doctors will surgically remove benign tumors. Sometimes, the entire ovary ( oophorectomy ) or part of the ovary ( ovarian cystectomy ) may need to be removed to completely remove the tumor. They may also recommend open surgery ( laparotomy ) or a less invasive type of surgery that uses smaller incisions ( laparoscopy ).
It is very rare for benign tumors to grow back after they are removed.
Treatment of malignant ovarian germ cell tumors
Treatment depends on the type of tumor and the stage of the cancer. Common treatments include:
- Surgery: Your doctor may recommend removing one or both of your ovaries or fallopian tubes ( oophorectomy ). If the cancer has spread beyond the ovaries and fallopian tubes, you may also have a total hysterectomy, which removes your uterus and cervix .
- Chemotherapy: In chemotherapy, your doctor gives you medicine into your veins, usually through an infusion . Chemotherapy drugs kill cancer cells and stop them from multiplying. You may receive chemotherapy for several weeks or months.
How is the situation after treatment? (Outlook)
BenignThe results of treatment for ovarian germ cell tumors are very good. These benign tumors usually do not return after removal.
The outcomes of malignant germ cell tumors vary depending on the type of tumor and the stage of the cancer. Oncologists determine this by calculating how many people with a particular cancer are alive five years after diagnosis. This is called the five-year survival rate.
For example, if the cancer has not spread beyond the ovaries, the survival rate is between 94% and 98%. For cancers that have spread beyond the original site, the five-year survival rate is about 73%. During this time, your doctor will monitor you closely and treat you if the cancer recurs .
Can this 'germ cell cancer' be completely cured?
It also depends on the type and stage of the tumor. For example, early-stage dysgerminoma can be treated with chemotherapy, with a cure rate close to 100%. More serious types, such as yolk sac tumors, may not be completely curable, but treatment can control the growth of the tumor and the spread of the cancer.
Your doctor can explain to you the outlook (including the possibility of cure) for ovarian germ cell cancer, depending on your diagnosis.
Is there a way to prevent these from happening?
Germ cell tumors cannot be prevented. However, you can help your doctor monitor your health and assess your cancer risk by attending regular checkups .
When should I see a doctor?
If you or your child have symptoms of an ovarian germ cell tumor , see a doctor right away . Some germ cell tumors grow very quickly. Identifying them early and getting treatment as soon as possible can significantly increase your chances of recovery.
What are the important questions to ask the doctor?
If you find out you have an ovarian germ cell tumor, here are some questions to ask your doctor:
- Is this tumor malignant or benign?
- What other tests do I need to do to decide what kind of treatment I need?
- What kind of treatment do you recommend?
- What can I expect after treatment?
- Will my diagnosis or treatment affect my ability to have a child?
Take home message
If you or your child have symptoms of an ovarian germ cell tumor , see a doctor immediately.. Most of the time, these are not dangerous (benign). Surgery can prevent complications such as rupture or torsion of a large tumor. Rarely, if a tumor is malignant, early diagnosis and treatment can significantly increase your chances of recovery. Even if you don't have any symptoms, talk to your doctor about getting regular checkups to monitor your reproductive health and organs.
👩🏽⚕️ Additional questions (FAQs)
💬 Is Retinoblastoma a cancer that causes blindness in young children?
Yes! This is a very dangerous and serious cancer that occurs in young children (most often between the ages of 2 and 3), and develops in the 'Retina', the part of the eye that gives vision. If this cancer is not detected early, not only can the child's eye become completely blind, but the cancer can also spread directly to the brain and the child may die.
💬 Can a mother detect eye cancer in her child at home?
Yes, it is possible! Take a photo of your child at night with the flash on. Normally, it is healthy for both eyes to turn red like spots. But if in the photo, only one eye reflects light (White pupil / Leukocoria) like a cat's eye, then that is definitely a sign of cancer! Show it to a doctor immediately.
💬 Will one of the child's eyes have to be completely removed because of this cancer?
If detected early, this will not happen! With modern medical techniques (such as laser therapy and intra-arterial chemotherapy that directly targets the eye), there is a 90% chance of saving both the eye and vision. However, only if the cancer has invaded the entire eye (inoperable), will an eye removal (enucleation) surgery be performed to save the child's life.
` Ovarian cysts, germ cell tumors, ovarian cancer, women's health, teratoma, dysgerminoma, cancer symptoms
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න