Small-cell carcinoma of the ovary of the hypercalcemic type in an 8-year-old girl

Tumors of the ovary in girls represent about 80% of pediatric genital tumor s; approximately 30% of these tumors are malignant. The risk of malignancy increases with decreasing age. The most frequent finding is a teratoma; oth er tumors are rare. Small-cell carcinoma (SCCO) of the ovary is extremely r are, occurring mostly in young women. We present an 8-year-old girl with a SCCO of the hypercalcemic type. The findings and treatment are discussed wi th emphasis on the poor prognosis in these patients, even in stage 1 diseas e. The current literature is reviewed.