Growing teratoma syndrome diagnostic and therapeutic challenges

Abstract

Growing teratoma syndrome (GTS) is a rare condition that affects patients with malignant germ cell
tumors. This syndrome is characterized by the growth of tumor masses during or after chemotherapy despite the normalization of serum tumor markers. Awareness of this condition, timely recognition of this paradoxical response to chemotherapy, and optimal cytoreduction are three key factors that determine the success of treatment. This article describes the classification of germ cell tumors, key aspects of pathogenesis, clinical diagnosis, and treatment approaches, and presents two clinical cases of GTS.