Early diagnosis and treatment challenges of endodermal sinus tumors: A case report

BACKGROUND: Ovarian endodermal sinus tumors (ESTs) are rapidly growing and highly malignant tumors that respond well to chemotherapy. They can be difficult to diagnose and delayed diagnosis can worsen prognosis. CASE: We present the case of a 20-year-old woman with an EST initially misdiagnosed as a tubo-ovarian abscess who then experienced rapid progression within weeks of initial presentation and was subsequently found to have unresectable advanced stage disease. CONCLUSION: ESTs are extremely aggressive and require prompt referral and early treatment with chemotherapy. Presenting symptoms of pain and a mass can lead to a broad range of differential diagnoses. In such patients, early consideration of tumor markers is warranted. This case report reviews the key aspects for prompt diagnosis and rapid treatment of these tumors, which significantly impacts the prognosis.