The clinicopathologic findings of 13 patients with ovarian pure
germinomas (
dysgerminomas) were studied to assess modes of
therapy. The patients' ages ranged from 12 to 40 years. Ten patients had unilateral
tumors clinically confined to the ovary (Stage I), including 1 patient who had an unsuspected microscopic
germinoma in a normal-appearing ovary. Of those with Stage I
tumors, only 1 patient developed
metastases and died; however, the presence of other elements in the mestases suggested that her primary
ovarian neoplasm actually may have been a malignant mixed
germ cell tumor. The other 9 patients are alive without
tumor after postoperative intervals of 0.3 to 29 years. Three patients had more advanced lesions (Stages II-IV) and 2 died of
metastases following orthovoltage irradiation. The results of this study support the concept of individualized
therapy for patients with ovarian
germinomas.