[Non-seminomatous germinal tumors of the ovary and testis in children].

The authors report a series of 17 non-seminomatous malignant germ cell tumours of the gonads in children, seen over a period of 18 years. 10 of these tumours were located in the ovaries and 7 were testicular. These are rare tumours with a highly polymorphous histological appearance. The overall 3-year survival was 10 (15 girls and 5 boys) out of 17. Choriocarcinomas and stage IV tumours have a very poor prognosis. Among the testicular tumours, the embryonal tumours have the most reserved prognosis. Whether the tumour arises in the ovary or in the testis, surgery is essential in order to define the therapeutic strategy.