Endocrinically active genital
tumors are indeed rare; however, their correct classification and treatment is rather difficult. If ovarian
tumors coincide with abnormal hormonal activity, thorough consideration of differential diagnosis is necessary. The WHO has agreed upon a classification of endocrinically active ovarian
tumors. This grouping, which is internationally accepted, is the base of the explanations, and to these, remarks about uterine HCG-producing trophoblast diseases are added. Symptomatology of endocrinically active ovarian
tumors is nonuniform, depending on the tissular origin of the
tumor and the pattern of its endocrine activity. Prognosis is also quite variable. This must be taken into account for
therapy. E.g., operative
therapy with conservation of fertility is possible--in particular in young women--with
granulosa cell tumors or
androblastomas;
dysgerminomas are strikingly sensitive to irradiation; chorion
carcinomas respond well to
chemotherapy. More difficult are clear therapeutic recommendations for the very rare forms of endocrinically active genital
tumors which stem from sex cords or which are composed of different components of the complex ovarian blastema. In a supplement, the relevant literature (121 quotations) is cited.