[Endocrine active genital tumors]

Endocrinically active genital tumors are indeed rare; however, their correct classification and treatment is rather difficult. If ovarian tumors coincide with abnormal hormonal activity, thorough consideration of differential diagnosis is necessary. The WHO has agreed upon a classification of endocrinically active ovarian tumors. This grouping, which is internationally accepted, is the base of the explanations, and to these, remarks about uterine HCG-producing trophoblast diseases are added. Symptomatology of endocrinically active ovarian tumors is nonuniform, depending on the tissular origin of the tumor and the pattern of its endocrine activity. Prognosis is also quite variable. This must be taken into account for therapy. E.g., operative therapy with conservation of fertility is possible--in particular in young women--with granulosa cell tumors or androblastomas; dysgerminomas are strikingly sensitive to irradiation; chorion carcinomas respond well to chemotherapy. More difficult are clear therapeutic recommendations for the very rare forms of endocrinically active genital tumors which stem from sex cords or which are composed of different components of the complex ovarian blastema. In a supplement, the relevant literature (121 quotations) is cited.