[Treatment of 129 patients with advanced and recurrent malignant ovarian germ cell tumor].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the improved treatment for advanced malignant germ cell tumors of the ovary. METHODS: 129 patients with advanced and recurrent germ cell tumor of the ovary treated from 1958 to 1993 were retrospectively analyzed. The results of malignant nondysgerminomatous germ cell tumor of the ovary treated from 1958-1983 were compared with those treated with the supplement of VAC (Vincristine + ActinomycinD + Cyclophosphamide), PVB (Cisplatin + Vinblastine + Bleomycin) or BEP (Bleomycin + Etoposide + Cisplatin) combined chemotherapy from 1984-1993. RESULTS: The overall 5-year survival rate was 30% (39/129) of advanced and recurrent germ cell tumor of the ovary. The 5-year survival rates of dysgerminoma and nondysgerminomatous germ cell tumor of the ovary were 68% (19/28) and 20%(20/101), respectively. The 5-year survival rate of patients with malignant nondysgerminomatous germ cell tumor of the ovary was raised from 3% (1/40) to 42% (15/36) in the recent years. The institution of combination chemotherapy is critical for the improvement with BEP regimen as the best among the three. CONCLUSIONS: The endodermal sinus tumor of the ovary stands first in the incidence of malignant germ cell tumors of the ovary in China. To improve the prognosis of advanced malignant germ cell tumor of the ovary, BEP regimen is the most effective at present.