Malignant non-epithelial tumor of ovary

Malignant non-epithelial tumors of the ovary are a group of rare cancers that start in the ovary but do NOT come from the surface lining cells (epithelium) that cause the most common type of ovarian cancer. Instead, these tumors grow from other types of cells found in the ovary — such as germ cells (the cells that make eggs) or stromal cells (the supporting tissue cells that produce hormones). The two main types are malignant germ cell tumors (like dysgerminoma, yolk sac tumor, and immature teratoma) and malignant sex cord-stromal tumors (like granulosa cell tumors and Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors). These cancers are sometimes grouped together under the broader term 'non-epithelial ovarian cancer.' These tumors can affect the ovary's normal function and may spread to nearby organs or lymph nodes if not caught early. Because some of these tumors produce hormones, they can cause unusual symptoms like irregular periods, early puberty in children, or signs of hormone imbalance. Common symptoms include pelvic pain, a feeling of fullness or bloating in the belly, a lump that can be felt in the abdomen, and sometimes nausea or changes in menstrual cycles. The good news is that many non-epithelial ovarian cancers — especially germ cell tumors — respond very well to treatment, even when found at a later stage. Treatment usually involves surgery to remove the tumor, often followed by chemotherapy. Many patients, especially younger women and girls, can be cured. Hormone-producing tumors may need additional monitoring for recurrence. Overall, the outlook for many patients with these cancers is better than for the more common epithelial ovarian cancers.

Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.

Bring these to your next appointment

• Q1.What specific type of non-epithelial ovarian tumor do I have, and how does that affect my treatment plan?,Is fertility-sparing surgery an option for me, and what are the risks and benefits?,What chemotherapy regimen do you recommend, and what side effects should I expect?,Should I have genetic testing, and what does that mean for my family members?,How will we know if the treatment is working, and what tumor markers will you monitor?,What is the chance that this cancer could come back, and how will we watch for that?,Are there any clinical trials I should consider for my type of tumor?

Common questions about Malignant non-epithelial tumor of ovary