Endodermal
sinus tumor
Endodermal
sinus tumor,
formerly
often known
as yolk sac
tumor, is a
member of
the germ
cell tumor
group of
neoplasms.
Endodermal
sinus tumor
frequently
develops
within
another kind
of tumor,
teratoma.
Almost all
ovarian
endodermal
sinus tumors
occur in
women under
the age of
30. Patients
usually
present with
sudden onset
pain and a
large pelvic
mass. There
is spread to
the
peritoneum
or lymph
nodes in
30-70% of
cases.
Treatment
Most
treatments
involve some
combination
of surgery
and
chemotherapy.
Before
modern
chemotherapy,
this type of
neoplasm was
highly
lethal, but
the
prognosis
has
significantly
improved
since.
Serum
alpha-fetoprotein
(AFP) is
extremely
elevated in
most cases
of
endodermal
sinus tumor
and is the
standard
marker for
surveilance
of malignant
teratoma in
infants and
children and
of ovarian
cancer in
young women.
Histology
The tumors
are soft and
friable with
a smooth
external
surface and
a cystic and
perhaps
solid
variegated
yellow or
gray
sectioned
surface.
Extensive
hemorrhage
and necrosis
is usual.
Microscopically,
there is a
wide variety
of patterns
and several
histologic
subtypes.
Typical
features are
Schiller-Duval
bodies and
eosinophilic
hyaline
globules. |
