Summary
Female malignant ovarian germ cell tumours (MOGCTs) are rare, but early diagnosis and multiagent chemotherapy are associated with high cure rates. While sharing many similarities with male germ cell tumours (GCTs), a group of cancers 20 times more common than MOGCTs, women who relapse with this cancer have poorer outcomes. Although all cases of MOGCTs are managed by multidisciplinary teams, outcomes could be improved by centralisation of care in view of the low incidence of these tumours.
This Scientific Impact Paper is confined to the management of non-paediatric cases of MOGCTs, and examines the presentation, investigation, and surgery and chemotherapy options. The role of the multidisciplinary team, in supporting decision making for women, discussing surveillance and treatment fertility options, as well as offering practical support, is also discussed.
COVID disclaimer
This Scientific Impact Paper was developed prior to the emergence of the COVID-19 coronavirus.
Version history
This is the first edition of this paper. Please note that the Scientific Advisory Committee regularly assesses the need to update. Further information on this review is available on request.
Developer declaration of interests
Professor JA Tidy FRCOG, Sheffield: Professor Tidy has received a grant from Cancer Research UK for an early stage cervical cancer trial. He has been paid consultancy fees and has shareholdings with Zilico, and has received payment from Qiagen for lecturing at a 2013 European colposcopy meeting. Professor Tidy holds patents for devices using electrical impedance spectroscopy to detect neoplasia.
Dr RE Coleman MBBS, MD, FRCP, FRCPE, Weston Park Hospital, Sheffield: Dr Coleman has received grants, consultancy fees and payment for expert testimony from Novartis, Bayer and Amgen. He was supported by Novartis and Roche to attend the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.
Dr RA Harvey, Charing Cross Hospital, London: None declared.
Ms A Hills, Weston Park Hospital, Sheffield: None declared.
Professor MJ Seckl FRCP, Imperial College and Charing Cross Hospital, London: Professor Seckl was supported by Boehringer Ingelheim to attend the 2013 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. He has a patent pending, and is Treasurer for the International Society for the Study of Trophoblastic Diseases.