Intracranial germ cell tumors

Abstract

We report on 19 cases of intracranial germ cell tumors, including 12 male and 7 female patients; the average age was 16.5 +/- 4.9 years. These tumors included germinoma in 15 cases, yolk sac tumor in 3 cases, embryonal cell carcinoma in 1 case, and mixed tumor in 3 cases. Each of 5 cases had 2 to 3 different kinds of tumor cells, either in one tumor or in different tumors. The locations of tumors were pineal region in 13 cases, suprasellar region in 3 cases, basal ganglion-thalamus in 3 cases, and cerebral hemispheres in 4 cases. Six of them had 2 or more locations. One case had spinal seeding and extraneural metastasis to the liver, retroperitoneum and neck lymph nodes. Eighteen cases received CT scan and 6 cases received MRI examinations, all the tumors had good enhancement by iodium content contrast medium in CT and Gadolinium-DTPA in MRI. Alfa-fetoprotein was elevated in yolk sac tumor, AFT and HCG were elevated only slightly or remained normal in germinoma. Germinomas had good response to radiation therapy and chemotherapy, while nongerminoma had poor response and worse prognosis.