Endodermal sinus tumor of the vagina--a rare entity treated exclusively with chemotherapy.

Endodermal Sinus Tumor (EST) is the rarest of the vaginal tumors. It commonly occurs in children of under 3 years and usually presents with vaginal bleeding EST is most frequently encountered in the ovary. It is exceedingly rare in the vulva. Approximately 50 cases of EST of the vagina or uterine cervix have been reported. The presence of Schiller Duval bodies and various histologic patterns characteristic of EST and immuno-histochemical demonstration of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) clinch the diagnosis. Assay of serum AFP can potentially aid in the diagnosis, monitor effectiveness of therapy and detect recurrences before clinical manifestations. This case report describes the successful treatment of a child with vaginal EST with chemotherapy exclusively.