# A Rare Case of Mixed Malignant Ovarian Germ Cell Tumor Composed of Immature Teratoma and Yolk Sac Tumor

**Authors:** Emiliya Apinova, Andrew S Martin, Nadim Bou Zgheib

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.82242 · Cureus · 2025-04-14

## TL;DR

A 23-year-old woman was diagnosed with a rare mixed ovarian tumor containing immature teratoma and yolk sac tumor, which did not respond to standard chemotherapy.

## Contribution

This paper presents a rare clinical case of a mixed malignant ovarian germ cell tumor with a unique composition and treatment response.

## Key findings

- The tumor was composed of 60% immature teratoma and 40% yolk sac tumor.
- The patient did not respond to standard BEP chemotherapy.
- The case emphasizes the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges of mixed malignant ovarian germ cell tumors.

## Abstract

Malignant ovarian germ cell tumors (MOGCTs) are rare but aggressive neoplasms, accounting for a small percentage of ovarian cancers, and often affect young women. We present the case of a 23-year-old woman who presented to the clinic believing she was 14.2 weeks pregnant. However, she was found to have elevated beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) levels and a complex left adnexal mass. Initial ultrasound suggested an ovarian tumor, and surgical exploration revealed a large mixed germ cell tumor measuring 36.5 x 27 x 23.9 cm, weighing 9463.2 grams, with metastases to the small bowel, omentum, and peritoneum. Final pathology confirmed a high-grade immature teratoma and yolk sac tumor with a composition of 60% teratoma and 40% yolk sac tumor (YST). The patient underwent comprehensive staging surgery, including omentectomy, bowel resection, and lymphadenectomy, followed by four cycles of bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin (BEP) chemotherapy. Unfortunately, the patient has not responded to the standard chemotherapy regimen of BEP and will pursue further treatment through clinical trials. This case highlights the diagnostic challenge of MOGCTs, particularly mixed forms, which may present with nonspecific symptoms. Timely diagnosis and aggressive treatment, including fertility-preserving surgery when possible, are crucial for improving outcomes. Although survival rates are generally favorable, close follow-up is needed due to the potential for relapse, particularly in cases with advanced disease, as seen in our case. This case emphasizes the importance of considering MOGCTs in young women with elevated β-hCG and adnexal masses and the management of this metastatic disease.

## Linked entities

- **Chemicals:** bleomycin (PubChem CID 5360373), etoposide (PubChem CID 36462), cisplatin (PubChem CID 5460033)
- **Diseases:** immature teratoma (MONDO:0003735), yolk sac tumor (MONDO:0002143)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** GPC3 (glypican 3) [NCBI Gene 2719] {aka DGSX, GTR2-2, MXR7, OCI-5, SDYS, SGB}, MUC16 (mucin 16, cell surface associated) [NCBI Gene 94025] {aka CA125}, GATA3 (GATA binding protein 3) [NCBI Gene 2625] {aka HDR, HDRS}, AFP (alpha fetoprotein) [NCBI Gene 174] {aka AFPD, FETA, HPAFP}, SALL4 (spalt like transcription factor 4) [NCBI Gene 57167] {aka DRRS, HSAL4, IVIC, ZNF797}, EREG (epiregulin) [NCBI Gene 2069] {aka EPR, ER, Ep}, TNFRSF8 (TNF receptor superfamily member 8) [NCBI Gene 943] {aka CD30, D1S166E, Ki-1}
- **Diseases:** pain (MESH:D010146), pelvic mass (MESH:C536030), adnexal masses (MESH:D000291), nausea (MESH:D009325), pelvic (MESH:D034161), IT (MESH:D013724), vaginal bleeding (MESH:D014592), metastases (MESH:D009362), abdominal or pelvic pain (MESH:D015746), Dysgerminomas (MESH:D004407), Malignant (MESH:D009369), fever (MESH:D005334), necrosis (MESH:D009336), breast cancer (MESH:D001943), metastatic (MESH:D000092182), adhesions (MESH:D000267), ovarian teratomas (MESH:C562731), benign ovarian cysts (MESH:D010048), embryonal carcinoma (MESH:D018236), vomiting (MESH:D014839), germ cell tumor (MESH:D009373), non-gestational choriocarcinoma (MESH:D031954), infertility (MESH:D007246), YST (MESH:D018240), ovarian germ cell malignancies (MESH:D010049), asthma (MESH:D001249), hemorrhage (MESH:D006470), ovarian failure (MESH:C564499), hemorrhagic rupture (MESH:D012421), toxicity (MESH:D064420), ovarian torsion (MESH:D000082843), ascites (MESH:D001201), appendicitis (MESH:D001064), acute pain (MESH:D059787), obesity (MESH:D009765), MOGCTs (MESH:D010051), ectopic pregnancy (MESH:D011271), abdominal distention (MESH:D000007)
- **Chemicals:** cisplatin (MESH:D002945), oxygen (MESH:D010100), paclitaxel (MESH:D017239), ifosfamide (MESH:D007069), BEP (-)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

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## References

20 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12077652/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12077652