Tumor chemoconversion following surgery, chemotherapy, and normalization of serum tumor markers in a woman with a mixed type germ cell ovarian tumor

Background. Malignant germ cell tumors of the ovary are often curative after conservative surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. Persistent tumors despite normalization of serum tumor markers may represent retroconversion to benign masses, but this is rare in ovarian tumors without teratoma elements. The management in such cases has not been defined. Case. A young woman with a stage IIIC mixed germ cell ovarian tumor containing endodermal and dysgerminoma elements and elevated serum tumor markers underwent conservative surgery followed by chemotherapy. Residual tumor persisted on CT despite the normalization of serum tumor markers. The residual tissue was resected and contained benign tissue. Conclusions. In cases where masses persist and serum tumor markers normalize, attaining a histological diagnosis, and not chemotherapy, should be considered. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science (USA).