Mixed germ cell tumour in pregnancy: clinical insights and challenges

BMJ Case Rep. 2025 Jun 22;18(6):e264165. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2024-264165.

Abstract

A young 24 weeks pregnant woman in her 20s presented with abdominal pain and distension and was diagnosed to have an ovarian mixed germ cell tumour (GCT). She received chemotherapy with weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin with a good clinical response, which was followed by the delivery of a healthy child. Subsequently, she underwent cytoreductive surgery and completed chemotherapy. She is currently disease-free for 7 years and there are no treatment-related sequelae in either the patient or her child. This case report aims to highlight the intricacies of managing ovarian GCT during pregnancy, illustrating that positive outcomes are possible even in the face of significant medical challenges.

Keywords: Cancer; Cancer intervention; Obstetrics, gynaecology and fertility; Pregnancy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Carboplatin / administration & dosage
  • Carboplatin / therapeutic use
  • Cytoreduction Surgical Procedures
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal* / diagnosis
  • Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal* / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal* / pathology
  • Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal* / therapy
  • Ovarian Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Ovarian Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Ovarian Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Ovarian Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Paclitaxel / administration & dosage
  • Paclitaxel / therapeutic use
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic* / diagnosis
  • Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic* / drug therapy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic* / pathology
  • Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic* / therapy
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Carboplatin
  • Paclitaxel

Supplementary concepts

  • Ovarian Germ Cell Cancer