A 2-year-old girl has a large solid ovarian tumor. Serum alpha-fetoprotein is grossly elevated. Histology shows a reticular pattern of primitive cells forming spaces lined by attenuated tumor cells around a central vessel projecting into a cystic space. What structure is described?
- A Schiller-Duval body ✓
- B Call-Exner body
- C Homer-Wright rosette
- D Psammoma body
Correct answer: A. Schiller-Duval body
Explanation
The Schiller-Duval body, a glomerulus-like structure with a central capillary surrounded by tumor cells within a space lined by flattened cells, is pathognomonic of yolk sac (endodermal sinus) tumor. This is the most common malignant ovarian germ cell tumor in early childhood and produces alpha-fetoprotein. Call-Exner bodies belong to granulosa cell tumors and psammoma bodies to serous tumors.
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.