Diseases

Dysgerminoma – Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

We learned

dysgerminoma is a malignant tumor that affects the female ovary. The disease is also known as ovarian seminoma and is one of the malignant tumors of the germ cells. In the majority of cases, a dysgerminoma has no hormonal activity. The dysgerminoma consists of virtually undifferentiated germ cells and is characterized by rapid growth.

What is a dysgerminoma?

Basically, the dysgerminoma represents the tumor of the female germ cells that occurs with the greatest frequency. About two to five percent of all malignant ovarian tumors are dysgerminoma. Dysgerminoma most commonly affects young women.

About 90 percent of all patients have not yet completed their third decade of life. Due to its occurrence in young women, the dysgerminoma is accidentally diagnosed in numerous cases during examinations during pregnancy.

causes

At the present time, no reliable statements can be made about the exact causes of the pathogenesis of the dysgerminoma. On the one hand, genetic dispositions are possible factors in the development of dysgerminoma. On the other hand, in the case of tumors, environmental factors are generally also able to influence and promote the development of carcinomas.

In addition, a combination of genetic and external influencing factors is possible, whereby the gene disposition makes it particularly susceptible to certain environmental factors. Various medical studies are currently researching the causes of dysgerminoma.

Symptoms, Ailments & Signs

The dysgerminoma usually causes hardly any specific symptoms, so that the diagnosis is often delayed and in many cases it is made too late. Dysgerminoma is characterized by pain in the abdominal area. If the tumor becomes ischemic, the symptoms sometimes resemble an acute abdomen. More than two-thirds of dysgerminomas only involve a single ovary.

Far more rarely, the dysgerminoma affects both ovaries. In addition, dysgerminoma is associated with involvement of the lymph nodes in about a third of cases . This is the highest rate among all germ cell tumors.

Diagnose

Basically, the dysgerminoma is a malignant tumor, so that immediate therapy of the patient is required in any case. This also applies to early stages of dysgerminoma. However, since the tumor causes relatively unspecific symptoms, it develops in many women unnoticed for a long time.

For this reason, the diagnosis of the dysgerminoma is often only made when the tumor is already well advanced in its growth. Alternatively, the dysgerminoma is often discovered by accident, for example during preventive check-ups at the gynecologist or during medical check-ups during pregnancy .

The diagnosis of dysgerminoma must be made by a specialist doctor. The anamnesis focuses on the symptoms of the dysgerminoma as well as family references. Because an accumulation of the dysgerminoma in the relatives is possible. The patient gives the doctor information about how long the symptoms have existed.

The anamnesis serves to prepare the subsequent clinical examination, which initially uses various imaging methods such as ultrasound or CT examinations. In this way, the tumor of the germ cells can be visualized, which contributes significantly to a reliable diagnosis.

Swabs that are analyzed histologically are also significant . As a result, malignant degeneration of cells can be detected. Blood tests of the patient also play an important role, because the serum sometimes contains certain marker substances that indicate the tumor disease.

complications

Since a dysgerminoma is a malignant tumor, the usual complications of cancer occur. In the worst case, these can lead to death. This case occurs relatively often with a dysgerminoma, since the disease is diagnosed too late. In most cases, it is not associated with pain or other symptoms and can therefore only be discovered during check-ups.

Further treatment usually depends on the stage of the tumor. Radiation therapy is primarily used, which can also be supported by an operation. If all affected regions can be removed, there are usually no further complications. Patients often have to undergo chemotherapy even after treatment.

Life expectancy is greatly reduced, but in most patients the tumors cannot be completely removed. It is also not possible to prevent this tumor disease. For this reason, regular check-ups by a gynecologist are particularly important for women to avoid further complications.

When should you go to the doctor?

If pain and pressure in the abdominal area are noticed, which are rapidly increasing in intensity and duration, a general practitioner or gynecologist should be consulted immediately. Although these symptoms do not necessarily indicate a dysgerminoma, a serious cause cannot be ruled out. A concrete suspicion is justified if the typical signs of an acute abdomen appear. Nausea and vomiting as well as diarrhea, constipation and fever must be clarified immediately.

These clear first symptoms are usually only expressed later in the course of the dysgerminoma – which makes it all the more important to see a doctor immediately. If the lymph nodes swell or cause pain, this must be clarified immediately.

A medical emergency occurs when there is an intestinal obstruction or cardiovascular problems with possible circulatory collapse. Women who show signs of these symptoms should call the emergency doctor immediately or go to the nearest hospital. In the event of serious complications, it may be necessary to provide first aid directly on site.

Treatment & Therapy

The treatment of the dysgerminoma depends primarily on the stage of the disease and whether the patient in question wants children or not. In stage 1A, an adnexa is usually surgically removed if there is still a desire to have children. If not, bilateral adnexectomy, omentectomy, and hysterectomy are performed .

Such measures are also to be taken in advanced stages of the omentectomy. Radiation therapy for the dysgerminoma is also an option, since the tumor is relatively sensitive to radiation. Such treatment methods are particularly appropriate after an operation to prevent recurrences. Chemotherapy is not required in stage 1A.

However, it is helpful in the case of incomplete removal of the dysgerminoma and advanced stages of the disease. The patients usually undergo three chemotherapeutic sessions. The substances used are cisplatin, etoposide and bleomycin.

The prognosis of dysgerminoma is comparatively good provided the tumors are treated in a timely and appropriate manner. Around 75 to 90 percent of all patients are still alive ten years after diagnosis and treatment of the dysgerminoma, which is relatively high for malignant tumors. However, this survival rate only applies to cases in which the dysgerminoma is less than four centimeters in size, has an intact capsule and no ascites is present. Adhesions with surrounding tissue parts are then also excluded.

Outlook & Forecast

The prognosis of dysgerminoma depends on the size and stage of the diagnosed tumor. The bigger it is, the worse the chance of recovery. In most cases, the tissue change can be successfully removed in a surgical procedure. This is followed by treatment with cancer therapy. This is associated with numerous side effects and impairments. If the tumor is less than 10 cm, the prognosis is good. Nevertheless, about 10-25% of patients die within ten years after the initial manifestation as a result of the disease.

Without medical treatment, the patient faces premature death. According to current scientific knowledge, a dysgerminoma can only be removed in a surgical procedure. There is no spontaneous healing or prevention of further disease progression. Since a dysgerminoma is symptom-free, it is often an incidental finding during a routine examination or during pregnancy. This increases the risk that the tumor will be detected too late.

The prospect of a complete cure decreases as soon as the lymphatic system is also affected by the cancer cells. In addition, the procedure increases the risk of lifelong infertility for the woman. The vulnerability of a mental illness is increased overall and can have a bad impact on the overall prognosis.

prevention

At the present time, it is not yet possible to specifically prevent dysgerminoma. Because the causes of the development of dysgerminoma have not been researched enough to derive and test appropriate preventive measures. Instead, an early diagnosis of the dysgerminoma is important, which is supported by regular check-ups at the gynaecologist.

aftercare

In the case of a dysgerminoma, the person affected is primarily dependent on the quick and early diagnosis of the disease so that the tumor does not spread to other regions of the body. For this reason, in the case of a dysgerminoma, the focus is on early detection of the disease. The earlier the dysgerminoma is detected, the better the further course is in most cases.

The aftercare measures are very limited. Even after the tumor has been successfully removed, the affected person is still dependent on regular examinations of the body in order to detect a new tumor at an early stage. In most cases, this tumor is treated with the help of chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

There are no particular complications from the therapies, but those affected are dependent on the help and support of family and friends. Intensive discussions are also helpful in order to prevent mental upsets or depression. In most cases, however, the dysgerminoma significantly reduces the life expectancy of the affected person. The further course depends heavily on the time of diagnosis, so that no general prediction can be made.

You can do that yourself

If you suspect a tumor, you should first see a doctor. If a dysgerminoma is actually present, treatment must be initiated immediately. At the same time, patients should identify possible causes of the disease and aim to make lifestyle changes.

If the carcinoma is based on an unhealthy diet , an individual diet must be created. The new diet plan must be tailored to the dysgerminoma and the symptoms it causes. It is also necessary to organize accompanying medicines. This task is best performed by the doctor in charge, as effective painkillers and tranquilizers often require a prescription.

In most cases, dysgerminoma patients must be operated on or treated with radiation or chemotherapy. Since these procedures put a lot of strain on the body, bed rest and relaxation are always indicated.

The patient should rest physically and mentally and work out a good accompanying treatment together with the doctor or a therapist. If the course is severe, it makes sense to consult a psychologist . Talking to a specialist can not only alleviate fears, it often opens up new possibilities for those affected.

Lisa Newlon
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Hello! I am Lisa Newlon, and I am a medical writer and researcher with over 10 years of experience in the healthcare industry. I have a Master’s degree in Medicine, and my deep understanding of medical terminology, practices, and procedures has made me a trusted source of information in the medical world.