[Endodermal sinus tumor in childhood. Clinical study of 6 cases (author's transl)]

Six children with yolk sac tumor, 3 occurring in gonadal sites and 3 in extragonadal ones, were studied with respect to pathological features, laboratory findings and clinical course. Their histological appearance was similar regardless of the site of origin. The prognosis was poor, but all the cases exhibited objective response to chemotherapy. Two children are alive and off therapy from 27 and 60 months. Three of the six patients in which serum alfa-fetoprotein determinations were performed showed positive results. The demonstration of alfa-fetoprotein in the serum of these patients could prove to be of prognostic value, indicating the presence of residual or recurrent disease. It is advisable to gather cases from many Institutions in order to specify prognostic factors, to know the natural history of this tumor and to prepare an effective therapeutic program.