An 18-year-old girl presents with abdominal pain and a unilateral ovarian mass. Serum alpha-fetoprotein is markedly elevated; beta-hCG and CA-125 are normal. Histology shows a reticular growth pattern with primitive cells lining spaces containing a central vessel, projecting into a cavity like a glomerulus. What is the diagnosis?

• A Choriocarcinoma
• B Dysgerminoma
• C Immature teratoma
• D Yolk sac (endodermal sinus) tumor ✓

Explanation

Yolk sac tumor is the second most common ovarian germ cell malignancy in young females and characteristically secretes alpha-fetoprotein. Its hallmark is the Schiller-Duval body, a glomerulus-like structure with a central capillary surrounded by primitive tumor cells within a space lined by flattened cells. Choriocarcinoma secretes beta-hCG rather than AFP, and dysgerminoma is marked by LDH elevation.

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

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.