Growing teratoma syndrome as an unusual cause of gliomatosis peritonei: A case report

Background. Growing teratoma syndrome (GTS) is defined as enlarging peritoneal implants that occur during or after chemotherapy for malignant germ cell tumors, but are histologically mature teratomas without any malignant components. GTS is a synonym for "chemotherapeutic retroconversion", i.e., conversion from a metastatic immature teratoma to a mature tumor by chemotherapy. Gliomatosis peritonei (GP) is a rare condition associated with ovarian teratomas of any grade, in which benign glial implants develop on the peritoneal surface. Case. We present a case of a 34-year-old woman with GTS. Conclusions. Present case supported by review of the literatures suggests that GTS can be a part of GP, because both GTS and GP are associated with benign peritoneal glial implants regardless of grade of malignancy of their original tumor. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.