Ovarian Cancer Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Ovarian Cancer, including details on symptoms, causes, treatment, information.

Yolk sac tumor of the ovary during pregnancy: a case report.

Aoki Y, Higashino M, Ishii S, Tanaka K

Division of Molecular Genetics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, 1-757 Asahimachi-dori, Niigata 951-8510, Japan. yoichi@med.niigata-u.ac.jp

BACKGROUND: There is a therapeutic dilemma for the pregnant patient with malignancy requiring chemotherapy. CASE: We had a case of a 30-year-old pregnant woman with a yolk sac tumor who underwent right salpingo-oophorectomy at 22 weeks gestation. Chemotherapy during pregnancy was postponed because of concern with the risks of the chemotherapy to the fetus. After the operation, L2 fraction of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) depending on the affinity for Lens culinaris agglutinin (LCA) as an indicator for a maternal source of AFP had been detectable since 30 weeks gestation and elevated rapidly with advancing gestation. Tumor recurrence was confirmed clinically at 34 weeks gestation. She was induced, delivering a healthy baby, and received seven complete chemotherapy courses (cisplatin, etoposide, and peplomycin). Currently, the mother (39 months after last chemotherapy) and child are doing well. CONCLUSION: AFP-L2 may be a sensitive indicator for a yolk sac tumor derived AFP, leading to an earlier detection of tumor recurrence during pregnancy.

Published 24 October 2005 in Gynecol Oncol, 99(2): 497-9.
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