Dysgerminoma
Synonyms/Description
Malignant germ cell tumor diagnosed predominantly in young adults ages 20 to 30. The most common benign germ cell tumor is the mature teratoma, commonly called a dermoid cyst (see Dermoid Cyst).
Etiology
Primitive germ cell tumors include the dysgerminoma, immature teratoma, endodermal sinus/yolk sac tumor, embryonal carcinoma, and nongestational choriocarcinoma.
Ovarian dysgerminomas arise from primordial germ cells and represent 1% to 2% of ovarian malignancies and 30% of all malignant germ cell tumors. Dysgerminoma is a rare tumor similar in histology to the male testicular seminoma and can arise bilaterally in 15% of affected patients. Serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is occasionally elevated.
Ultrasound Findings
Findings involve a solid, mostly isoechoic, but heterogeneous mass with apparent lobulations. The lobulations are caused by inhomogeneous internal echogenicity giving the sonographic appearance of different compartments in this solid tumor. Blood flow is moderate to abundant in most lesions, indicating a high risk of malignancy.
Differential Diagnosis
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