The value of cancer antigen-125 as a tumor marker in malignant germ cell tumors of the ovary

Tumour Markers and POMB/ACE Chemotherapy in the Management of Ovarian Germ Cell Tumours (GCTs)

The management of ovarian germ cell tumours (GCTs) has changed dramatically over the last 15 years. The combination of the introduction of tumour markers which accurately monitor the behaviour of the majority of germ cell tumours together with the introduction of newer chemotherapeutic agents has meant that few patients even with metastases should succumb from their disease.

The tumour markers, human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) and alpha-foetoprotein (AFP) and, to a lesser extent, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP) are routinely used in assisting diagnosis, monitoring response to treatment and increasing the sensitivity of follow-up ofpatients after completing treatment. Analysis of our last 51 patients with all cell types of ovarian germ cell tumour has confirmed the importance of both hCG and AFP in that 45 (88%) of 51 patients had either or both of these tumour markers raised at the start of treatment for metastatic disease. Our data on LDH is incomplete since this has not been a routine assay until 1984 and, of the patients with active disease 10 (48%) had raised LDH at the start of treatment. PLAP has also been measured in a number of patients both on active treatment and in remission. 11 (50%) had raised levels of PLAP at the start of treatment but there was also a false positive rate of8 (24%) of the 33 patients who were in remission and had not subsequently relapsed.

Evaluation of Preoperative Serum Levels of CA 125 and Expression of p53 in Ovarian Neoplasms: A Prospective Clinicopathological Study in a Tertiary Care Hospital

OBJECTIVES

To assess the preoperative serum levels of CA 125 with its diagnostic role and to evaluate the p53 expression in patients of primary ovarian neoplasms. We also wished to judge their relationship with other parameters like clinical staging and histopathologic tumor type.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The present study was conducted on 86 patients during the study period of 2.5 years. Preoperative CA 125 levels were evaluated by an automated immunoassay analyzer. p53 expression was judged immunohistochemically with pre-diluted monoclonal antibody. An objective scoring was done depending on distinct nuclear immunopositivity.

RESULTS

Median value of preoperative CA 125 levels was 32 U/mL in benign surface epithelial-stromal tumors (BSEST), 53 U/mL in borderline surface epithelial-stromal tumors (BOT), 346 U/mL in malignant surface epithelial-stromal tumors (MSEST) and 560 U/mL in serous adenocarcinomas (SAC). Most of ovarian tumors were in the FIGO stage I (64 cases, 74.4%), but higher stages (II, III, IV) were observed mostly in MSESTs. SACs displayed the maximum p53 expression. Considering the cut-off value of more than 35 U/mL in CA 125 levels, the sensitivity to diagnose MSESTs was 94.7%. Preoperative CA 125 levels strongly and positively correlated with FIGO staging and p53 expression. Similarly p53 expression strongly and positively correlated with FIGO staging and histopathological categories.

CONCLUSION

Higher values of preoperative CA 125 levels and higher expression p53 are associated with MSESTs and BOTs especially of serous type. They strongly correlate with each other and with tumor stage. But there is no serum CA 125 concentration that can clearly differentiate benign and malignant ovarian masses.

Multidisciplinary management of malignant ovarian germ cell tumours

OBJECTIVES

Malignant ovarian germ cell tumours (MOGCT) are rare cancers of young women. Limited prospective trials exist from which evidence-based management can be developed. This review summarizes the available literature concerning MOGT in order to provide the clinician with information relevant to their multidisciplinary management.

METHODS

MEDLINE was searched between 1966 and 2010 for all publications in English where the studied population included women diagnosed with malignant ovarian germ cell tumours.

RESULTS

The majority of patients can be cured with fertility-preserving surgery with or without combination chemotherapy. Long term survival approaches 100% in early stage disease and is approximately 75% in advanced stage disease. Most studies suggest that the treatment has little, if any, effect on future fertility and limited data suggest that there is no adverse effect on the future quality of life.

CONCLUSION

MOGCTs are rare tumours of young women the majority of which can be successfully treated with fertility-preserving surgery with or without chemotherapy with preservation of reproductive function. Minimisation of chemotherapy in good prognostic groups and improved treatment in resistant and relapsed MOGCT are important goals for the future. Further studies are needed to quantify the late adverse effects of treatment in long term survivors.

Malignant Struma Ovarii – A Case Report and Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND

Struma ovarii is a rare monodermal ovarian teratoma composed predominantly of mature thyroid tissue. Of these cases, 5-8% are clinically hyperthyroid and 5-10% of these tumors are malignant.

CASE REPORT

A 53-year-old female presented with a 19 x 5 x 5 cm pelvic mass that was treated with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, pelvic and para-aortic lymph node sampling, omentectomy and appendectomy and staging for an ovarian tumor. There was no evidence of distant metastases or lymph node invasion. Re-evaluation of the patient after surgery revealed that she was clinically euthyroid and there was no thyroid malignancy. Histopathology revealed papillary thyroid carcinoma arising in struma ovarii (malignant struma ovarii).

CONCLUSION

Malignant struma ovarii is a very rare malignant ovarian teratoma. In young patients unilateral oophorectomy and complete surgical staging should be considered when the tumor is confined to the one ovary (stage Ia). Long-term follow-up for the detection of metastases or tumor recurrence by serial serum thyroglobulin and (131)I scan or positron emission tomography/computed tomography may be required in selected patients with this rare tumor.

A systematic review of lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme 1 and germ cell tumors

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme 1 (LD-1) as a tumor marker of germ cell tumors.

METHODS

A literature search included a CancerLit and Medline computer search of articles regarding germ cell tumors and LD-1 published between 1963 to 99 and a manual search of reference lists, theses, and textbooks. Forty articles, letters to the editor, and abstracts on testicular germ cell tumors and 10 articles on ovarian germ cell tumors fulfilled inclusion criteria.

RESULTS

Of 696 patients with testicular germ cell tumors, 423 (61%) had a raised serum LD-1 catalytic concentration (S-LD-1). Patients with seminoma have a raised S-LD-1 more often (63%) than those with nonseminoma (60%). S-LD-1 was raised less often in patients with stage I (48%) than in those with stage II (50%) and stage III (67%). S-LD-1, serum alpha fetoprotein concentration (S-AFP), and serum human chorionic gonadotropin concentration (S-hCG) were discordant. S-LD-1 predicted outcome in four studies: one study regarding relapse in patients with nonseminomatous testicular germ cell tumors stage I, and three studies regarding survival of patients with metastatic testicular germ cell tumors. In two of three studies, S-LD-1 was a better prognostic predictor for patients with metastatic testicular germ cell tumors than S-LD. Of 40 patients with ovarian germ cell tumors, thirty-five (88%) had a raised S-LD-1.

CONCLUSIONS

S-LD-1 is a useful serum tumor marker of testicular germ cell tumors. For patients with ovarian germ cell tumors, S-LD-1 was raised more often than for patients with testicular germ cell tumors. Further studies are required for a general recommendation regarding the use of S-LD-1 for germ cell tumors.

Diagnosis and management of malignant germ cell ovarian tumors in young females

Germ cell tumors (GCT) compose most of the preadolescent malignant ovarian tumors; dysgerminoma being the most common (48%), followed by endodermal sinus tumor, immature teratoma, mixed GCT and embryonal carcinoma. The percentage of malignant epithelial ovarian tumors rises with increasing age, while that of the GCT tumors declines. Of all tumor markers discussed, only AFP and hCG are being routinely monitored. Their most effective use is in monitoring response to therapy and detecting recurrences early. The current therapeutic regimens are presented, among them bleomycin, etoposide and platinol (BEP) and other new regimens; their influence on the patients' fertility is discussed. Further improvement in the prognosis of these young patients will hopefully follow development of new surgical and chemotherapeutic approaches.

Update on malignant ovarian germ cell tumors

The evolution of therapy for malignant ovarian germ cell tumors has been one of the true success stories in oncology. This article reviews the major advances in this field, with emphasis on more recent developments. During the past two decades, the nomenclature and histologic criteria for the major histologic subtypes have been standardized. Although the role of secondary debulking is uncertain, it probably has merit in selected patients. The use of second-look laparotomy should be limited as much as possible. Chemotherapeutic regimens have evolved to the current "gold standard"--the combination of bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin, with overall disease-free survival rates of greater than 95%. For patients with metastatic dysgerminoma, chemotherapy has replaced radiation therapy as the treatment of choice. For those few patients who do not respond to first-line therapy, the combination of vinblastine, ifosfamide, and cisplatin is the most popular regimen for the subset of platinum-sensitive tumors. For those with platinum-resistant tumors, dose intensification with autologous bone marrow rescue or Phase II drugs are being investigated. Studies on the late effects of treatment reveal that reproductive potential can be preserved in most young patients. In summary, although the progress in this field has been phenomenal, small incremental advances will continue to occur during the 1990s.

Alpha-fetoprotein in malignant germ cell tumors of the ovary

To investigate the clinical significance of alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) in malignant germ cell tumors of the ovary, we studied 46 patients who were treated by the Tokai Ovarian Tumor Study Group. The 46 patients had the following tumors: immature teratoma (IT), 17 cases; endodermal sinus tumor (EST), 16 cases; mixed germ cell tumor containing EST, 11 cases; embryonal carcinoma, 1 case; polyembryoma, 1 case. In all 29 non-IT cases, AFP was positive, and in 27 cases (93%) the level was above 1000 ng/ml. In 11 of 17 cases of IT (64.7%), AFP levels were elevated and in 1 case the level was above 1000 ng/ml. Elevation of the AFP level above 1000 ng/ml suggested the presence of EST. AFP levels were monitored in 27 of 29 cases without IT during treatment and follow-up. It was found that AFP levels should be monitored closely for at least 1 year after induction of remission. No recurrence was observed when AFP continued to be negative longer than 1 year. The mean interval to clinical recurrence from the reelevation of AFP was 4 months (1.4-9 months). An increase in the AFP to a positive level, even without clinical signs of recurrence, should be regarded as a recurrence. AFP was found to be a useful tumor marker for the diagnosis and management of malignant germ cell tumors of the ovary.

Ovarian yolk sac tumor arising from an endometrioid carcinoma

A yolk sac tumor that arose within an ovarian endometrioid adenocarcinoma in a 50-year-old woman is described. The tumor had typical microscopic features, stained immunohistochemically for alpha-fetoprotein, and was associated with an elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein level when metastases appeared. This is the fourth case in which a yolk sac tumor has been reported to develop from a somatic carcinoma and the second in which this tumor has been associated with epithelium of endometrioid type. Tumor heterogeneity or neometaplasia may account for the origin of a tumor of germ cell type from a carcinoma of somatic origin.