Germ Cell Tumors of the Female Genital Tract

Ovarian germ cell tumors are a histologically diverse group of neoplasms with a common origin in the primitive germ cell. The vast majority are represented by mature cystic teratoma. In the minority are malignant germ cell tumors including immature teratoma, dysgerminoma, yolk sac tumor, embryonal cell carcinoma, and choriocarcinoma. This article reviews the histologic and immunohistochemical features of the most common ovarian germ cell tumors. The differential diagnoses for each are discussed.

Oligodendroglial cell proliferation arising in an ovarian mature cystic teratoma. Clinicopathological, inmunohistochemical, and ultrastructural study of a case that may represent an oligodendroglioma

Ovarian mature cystic teratoma (OMCT) is an ovarian benign neoplasm with excellent prognosis presenting components of the three germinal layers. However, transformation into a malignant neoplasm is a rare event (so-called somatic transformation). In most of the cases, the malignant component expresses as epidermoid carcinoma, but occasionally central nervous system tumors occur. Some of the previously reported tumors are astrocytoma, glioblastoma, and ependymoma. Somatic transformation of OMCT into an oligodendroglioma is exceptional. We report a 19-year-old female with a left OMCT with an area of oligonedroglial cells proliferation characterized by immunohistochemical studies with positivity for GFAP and S100, with a low Ki67 index (5%). Additionally, electron microscopy revealed oligodendrocytes with parallel bundles of cytoplasmic intermediate filaments, confirming the oligodendroglial nature of the proliferation. The patient was treated only with left oophorectomy, and three and half years after surgery, there is no evidence of disease.