A Rare Case Of Dysgerminoma In A 58-Year Old Postmenopausal Woman In Makurdi, North Central Nigeria.

The cause of ovarian cancers is not known but the most common risk factor is a positive family history of ovarian or breast cancer. Primary tumors of the ovaries may arise from the epithelium (82%), sex cord and germ cell (20%) areas. About 3-5% of all germ cell tumors (GCTs) are malignant with the most common being the dysgerminoma which also accounts for 4-5% of all ovarian cancers. Dysgerminomas are most commonly seen in women of reproductive age who are sexually active and they make up to 60% of all malignant ovarian tumors in women younger than 20 years. We present a rare case of ovarian dysgerminoma in a 58-year old post menopausal woman who, presented to the gynecological unit of a secondary health care center in Makurdi, Nigeria. She had staging laparotomy and cytoreductive surgery. Initial chemotherapy with bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatin showed a good response. The appearance of this cancer in this age group should be a reminder to practitioners of the need to develop effective screening methods for ovarian cancers and the sensitization of patients to present early while attempts are made to open up well equipped cancer treatment centers, with adequately trained personnel. This is important since, ovarian cancers are the second most common gynecological malignancies and have the highest case fatality world wide; but once diagnosed dysgerminomas respond well to treatment.