Growing teratoma syndrome of the ovary: a case report with FDG-PET findings

Abstract

Growing teratoma syndrome (GTS) is defined as enlarging masses during or after chemotherapy for germ cell tumors, and containing only mature teratoma components. A surgical resection is important to confirm a diagnosis and thereby result in the resection of the most appropriate therapeutic management. GTS is a rare event in association with ovarian germ cell tumors. This report presents a case of a 36-year-old female treated surgically for GTS found during the follow-up after chemotherapy and the primary surgical resection of a malignant immature teratoma. Those masses showed fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography positivity and elevated serum CA19-9 prior to the second operation. The histology revealed a mature teratoma. The patient has been disease free for 6 months after the second operation.