A 7-month-old infant girl has a rapidly enlarging abdominal mass. Serum alpha-fetoprotein is markedly elevated. The ovarian tumour shows a reticular microcystic pattern and structures composed of a central capillary vessel surrounded by tumour cells within a space lined by flattened tumour cells. These structures represent:
- A Schiller-Duval bodies of yolk sac tumour ✓
- B Call-Exner bodies of granulosa cell tumour
- C Homer-Wright rosettes of immature teratoma
- D Psammoma bodies of serous carcinoma
Correct answer: A. Schiller-Duval bodies of yolk sac tumour
Explanation
The described glomeruloid structure is the Schiller-Duval body, the pathognomonic feature of yolk sac tumour (endodermal sinus tumour), the most common malignant germ cell tumour of childhood. It secretes AFP, which serves as a reliable serum marker for diagnosis and follow-up. Call-Exner bodies are small gland-like spaces in adult granulosa cell tumours that produce oestrogen rather than AFP. Homer-Wright rosettes indicate primitive neuroectodermal differentiation, and psammoma bodies characterise papillary serous tumours.
Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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