The role of chemotherapy in malignant ovarian germ cell tumors' treatment

Malignant ovarian germ cell tumors account for less than 5% of all malignant ovarian tumors. They are very aggressive and occur primarily in girls and young women. Malignant germ cell tumors can be subdivided into different histopathological types as follows dysgerminoma, yolk sac tumor, immature teratoma, embryonal carcinoma, ovarian choriocarcinoma and mixed germ cell tumor, which differ not only in morphology and histopathology, but they have also different natural behaviour and outcomes. In the last years, thanks to the introduction of highly effective cytostatic drugs to their treatment, the prognosis have dramatically improved. From definitely fatal disease with a high failure and death-rate they have moved up to the group of malignancies with the excellent outcomes. Correctly performed surgical intervention and early intensive chemotherapy account to above 80% of survival rates. In addition, thanks to a great chemosensitivity of these tumors group it is possible to conduct less excessive surgeries and retain the fertility and normal hormonal activities. Nowadays the main point of interest are not only the possibilities of more effective treatment and searching of predicitive factors but reduction of toxicity and quality of life improvement. And normal hormonal activity and child bearing potential after the treatment is now the routine part of standard protocol for the management plan.