Conservative management of an ovarian polyembryoma.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Polyembryomas are rare, immature germ cell malignancies characterized by numerous embryo-like bodies in association with mature and immature teratoma structures and primitive embryonic tissue. The purpose of this paper is to present a patient in whom surgical staging and postoperative serial tumor markers and imaging studies were used to determine management. CASE: A 43-year-old woman with a stage IA polyembryoma was followed with serial alpha-fetoprotein and hCG assays, as well as serial abdominal and pelvic computed tomography (CT) scans, following surgical staging and a total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Chemotherapy was not given because the patient's tumor markers declined steadily into the normal range and imaging studies revealed no evidence of recurrent disease. CONCLUSION: Women with polyembryomas surgically staged and confined to one ovary may be followed with serial tumor markers and diagnostic imaging techniques to avoid aggressive cytotoxic chemotherapy.