Polyembryoma

What it is

A rare malignant germ cell tumor characterized by predominant composition of embryoid bodies consisting of a central core of embryonal carcinoma cells, an amnion-like cavity, and a yolk sac tumor component. The tumor usually occurs as the dominant component of a mixed germ cell tumor, with teratoma being the most common associated element. It may manifest as an abdominal mass or with abdominal pain, menstrual irregularities, or precocious puberty in women, while men typically present with testicular enlargement. Serum alpha-fetoprotein and/or beta-human chorionic gonadotropin can be elevated.

Key facts

Prevalence

<1 / 1 000 000 (annual incidence, Europe)

Age of onset

Adolescent, Adult

Inheritance

Not applicable

Classified as

Disease

Prevalence figures describe populations, not individuals, and are often estimates from a single study. Where the figure is an incidence or a birth prevalence, it says so.

Signs and symptoms

These ranges are how often a sign appears across everyone diagnosed, not a prediction for one person — most people have some of these and not others. Orphanet also records findings that are specifically absent in this disease; those are in the data but not listed here.

ICD-10 codes

ICD-10 has no distinct code for most rare diseases, so many are filed under the nearest available one. A shared code identifies the group, not this disease — the ORPHAcode above is what identifies it.

Cross-references