Vaginal yolk sac (endodermal sinus) tumors in infancy presenting persistent vaginal bleeding

Abstract

Vaginal yolk sac (endodermal sinus) tumors were diagnosed in two girls (ages 12 and 46 months). In both, the only manifestation was persistent vaginal bleeding. Pelvic ultrasonography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging revealed solitary vaginal masses (diameter, 5 and 2 cm, respectively). Serum alpha-fetoprotein was highly elevated in one patient and normal in the other. Biopsy was performed in the first patient, and a tumor excision, in the second. Combination chemotherapy with cisplatin, etoposide, and bleomycin or carboplatin was administered to the first patient, and shortly thereafter, the tumor size decreased by more than half; serum alpha-fetoprotein was normalized after four chemotherapy cycles. After chemotherapy, magnetic resonance imaging revealed a small residual lesion, however the second biopsy revealed no viable tumor cells. In the second patient, no visible tumor was observed after chemotherapy by vaginoscopy. Both patients are well at 19 and 14 months after diagnosis, respectively.