Ovarian Germ Cell Tumors Treatment (PDQ®): Treatment - Health Professional Information [NCI]-Stage I
Ovarian Germ Cell Tumors Treatment (PDQ®): Treatment - Health Professional Information [NCI]-Stage Information for Ovarian Germ Cell Tumors
In the absence of obvious metastatic disease, accurate staging of germ cell tumors of the ovary requires laparotomy with careful examination of the following:
The contralateral ovary should be carefully examined and biopsied if necessary. Ascitic fluid should be examined cytologically. If ascites is not present, it is important to obtain peritoneal washings before the tumor is manipulated. In patients with dysgerminoma, lymphangiography or computed tomography is indicated if the pelvic and para-aortic lymph nodes were not carefully examined at the time of surgery.
Although not required for formal staging, it is desirable to obtain serum levels of alpha fetoprotein (AFP) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) as soon as the diagnosis is established since persistence of these markers in the serum after surgery indicates unresected tumor.
Definitions: FIGO
The Féderation Internationale de Gynécologie et d'Obstétrique (FIGO) and the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) have designated staging to define ovarian germ cell tumors; the FIGO system is most commonly used.[1,2]
- Entire diaphragm.
- Both paracolic gutters.
- Pelvic nodes on the side of the ovarian tumor.
- The para-aortic lymph nodes.
- The omentum.
The contralateral ovary should be carefully examined and biopsied if necessary. Ascitic fluid should be examined cytologically. If ascites is not present, it is important to obtain peritoneal washings before the tumor is manipulated. In patients with dysgerminoma, lymphangiography or computed tomography is indicated if the pelvic and para-aortic lymph nodes were not carefully examined at the time of surgery.
Although not required for formal staging, it is desirable to obtain serum levels of alpha fetoprotein (AFP) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) as soon as the diagnosis is established since persistence of these markers in the serum after surgery indicates unresected tumor.
Definitions: FIGO
The Féderation Internationale de Gynécologie et d'Obstétrique (FIGO) and the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) have designated staging to define ovarian germ cell tumors; the FIGO system is most commonly used.[1,2]
