Histological examination of an ovarian tumour from a 20-year-old woman reveals a glomerulus-like structure consisting of a central blood vessel surrounded by malignant cells within a space lined by tumour cells. This finding is pathognomonic of:

• A Embryonal carcinoma
• B Immature teratoma
• C Choriocarcinoma
• D Endodermal sinus (yolk sac) tumour ✓

Explanation

The Schiller-Duval body, a glomeruloid structure with a central capillary invested by malignant germ cells projecting into a space lined by flattened tumour cells, is pathognomonic of the endodermal sinus (yolk sac) tumour. These tumours secrete AFP, which serves as a reliable tumour marker. Embryonal carcinoma secretes both AFP and beta-hCG, while choriocarcinoma secretes beta-hCG and shows syncytiotrophoblasts, none of which form Schiller-Duval bodies.

Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.