Ovarian tumours in children--a review of 40 cases

The records of 40 children treated for ovarian tumours in Manchester since 1940 are reviewed. The series includes 12 dysgerminomas, nine endodermal sinus tumours, six malignant teratomas, three granulosa theca cell tumours, one Sertoli-Leydig cell tumour, one mixed chorioncarcinoma/dysgerminoma and eight cases of non-germ cell or uncertain origin. Presenting features and treatment are discussed. Survival is generally poor apart from the dysgerminomas, granulosa theca and Sertoli-Leydig cell tumours, all but one of whom are alive and disease free. The need for routine post-operative radiotherapy in cases in dysgerminoma confined to one ovary following total resection is questioned. Combination chemotherapy may improve survival in the future, particularly of children with endodermal sinus tumour. The only surviving child other than those mentioned above has had combination chemotherapy for an endodermal sinus tumour.