Endodermal sinus tumor of the ovary: The Hacettepe University experience

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the treatment regimens used for patients with endodermal sinus tumors (EST), and also to examine the prognostic value of surgicopathological variables. Study design Twenty-two patients treated for pure EST, and seven patients who had mixed germ cell tumors with EST components were included. Initial surgery consisting of surgical staging to achieve optimal debulking was the principal mode of therapy. Data were obtained from patients’ files, a special gynecologic oncology database, and pathology records. Results The median age at the time of diagnosis was 18 (range 8–45). Sixteen patients had stage I (55%), and 13 (45%) had stage II–IV disease. As an adjuvant therapy 18 patients (62%) received platin-based chemotherapy, three patients (10%) had non-platin-based chemotherapy, four patients (14%) had radiotherapy, and four patients (14%) had combined radiotherapy plus non-platin-based chemotherapy. The 5-year disease-free and overall survival rates were 47 and 48%, respectively. Survival rates were dismal in patients with stage II–IV disease ( P P  = 0.03 and P Conclusion Fertility-sparing surgery with a postoperative platin-based combination chemotherapy should be the selected mode of treatment.