DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF MALIGNANT GERM-CELL OVARIAN-TUMORS IN YOUNG FEMALES

Germ cell tumors (GCT) compose most of the preadolescent malignant ova rian tumors; dysgerminoma being the most common (48%), followed by end odermal sinus tumor, immature teratoma, mixed GCT and embryonal carcin oma, The percentage of malignant epithelial ovarian tumors rises with increasing age, while that of the GCT tumors declines. Of all tumor ma rkers discussed, only AFP ang 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, am ong them bleomycin, etoposide and platinol (BEP) and other new regimen s; their influence on the patients' fertility is discussed. Further im provement in the prognosis of these young patients will hopefully foll ow development of new surgical and chemotherapeutic approaches.