Ovarian yolk sac tumor

Last revised by Yahya Baba on 24 Dec 2022

Ovarian yolk sac tumors, also known as endodermal sinus tumors, are a type of ovarian germ cell tumors.

Ovarian yolk sac tumor is a rare malignant ovarian germ cell tumor that usually occurs around the second decade of life. It is considered the most common malignant germ cell tumor of the ovary in children 4. The overall occurrence is rare, however.

They are typically well-encapsulated round to oval masses.

  • affected patients have an elevated serum tumor marker AFP

Typically, yolk sac tumors manifest as a large, complex pelvic mass that extends into the abdomen and contains both solid and cystic components. The cystic areas are composed of epithelial lined cysts produced by the tumor or of co-existing mature teratomas. Bilaterality is rare.

Tends to have both echogenic and hypoechoic components 4.

They can be associated with prominent signal voids on MRI 2. Areas of hemorrhage can also be seen.

These tumors tend to grow rapidly and had a poor prognosis in the past, but now the prognosis has improved with the use of new therapies (platin or carboplatin, etoposide, bleomycin). Early lymphatic spread, as well as invasion, is common.

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