Germ Cell Tumors

After asking about your symptoms, your provider will perform several tests, including a pelvic exam to check for growths and other abnormalities in your abdomen, pelvis and vagina. You may also need imaging and blood tests.

• Imaging tests: A transvaginal ultrasound is often the first imaging test providers perform if they suspect an ovarian germ cell tumor. This test allows your provider to see inside your abdomen and check for growths. You may also need a computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as part of your diagnosis. These tests can show more detail than an ultrasound.
• Blood tests: You may need a serum tumor marker test, a blood test that checks the levels of certain substances in your body. High levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) or human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) can be signs of ovarian germ cell tumors.

Your provider will need to remove the tumor or the entire affected ovary to make a definitive diagnosis. A pathologist will test the cells in a lab to determine the type of tumor and whether it’s benign or malignant.

What are the stages of malignant ovarian germ cell tumors?

If a tumor is malignant, providers classify the cancer using a process called staging as part of your diagnosis. They use imaging procedures, like a CT scan or PET scan (positron emission tomography scan), to measure the tumor size and determine its location. This information helps your provider determine what treatments you’ll need and the likely outcomes of treatment.

Usually, the lower the stage, the more treatable the cancer is.

Stages for malignant ovarian germ cell tumors are:

• Stage 1: The cancer is just in your ovaries.
• Stage 2: The cancer has spread to other tissues in your pelvis, including your fallopian tubes or uterus.
• Stage 3: The cancer has spread to your lymph nodes or the tissue lining your pelvic organs or abdominal cavity (peritoneum), but it hasn’t spread beyond your abdomen.
• Stage 4 (metastatic cancer): The cancer has grown into your liver or spleen or spread to tissues and organs outside your abdomen, like your lungs.