Ovary with dysgerminoma

Clinical story

21 years old female with a large tumor in the right ovary. Enlarged para-aortal lymph nodes, metastasis cannot be ruled out.

Virtual microscopy of the slide

Comments

Grossly, 25 cm tumor, weight 1750 g. Cut surface showing solid yellowish tissue. Section from the ovarian tumor.

Microscopy: The ovary is diffusely infiltrated by a malignant tumor consisting of dissociated cells with clear cytoplasm and atypical nuclei containing one or more nucleoli. Fibrous septae with lymphocytes are additionally found. There were no other germ cell elements in the tumor.

One lymph node was shown to contain small tumor cell groups.

Learning goals

To recognize dysgerminoma as a germ cell tumor with similar morphology as its testicular counterpart; To understand its origin from gonadoblastoma; To understand the clinical significance of malignant germ cell tumors in terms of metastasis, treatment and prognosis.