Intracranial Mixed Germ Cell Tumor Research Articles

Basal Ganglia Intracranial Mixed Germ Cell Tumor With Predominance of Yolk Sac Component

Abstract Introduction/Objective Primary intracranial germ cell tumors (ICGCTs) represent a rare heterogenous group of neoplasms with an overall incidence of 3% of all pediatric brain tumors. ICGCTs are classified into germinomatous and non-germinomatous tumors and approximately 25% are mixed, and contain more than one histologic component. Most ICGCTs are located in suprasellar and pineal regions with some occurring in rare locations such as basal ganglia, thalamus and fourth ventricle. Methods In our case, A 9-year-old Asian-American male presented with headaches and a few weeks history of unilateral weakness. Imaging showed a left basal ganglia lesion with midline shift. Serum AFP was elevated at 17,974.5ng/ml. Results Histology revealed a biphasic tumor with a predominant yolk-sac component composed of sheets of pleomorphic cells with prominent nucleoli, focally arranged in a reticular pattern with hyaline globules, increased mitoses and foci of necrosis. A lesser component display features of germinoma, in the form of sheets and nests of large cells with clear vacuolated cytoplasm separated by fibrous septa with lymphocytic infiltrates. Tumor cells in yolk sac component were positive for AFP, while PLAP, CD117, D240 stained germinoma component. After receiving 6 courses of chemotherapy and radiation, MRI did not show any evidence of residual disease. Conclusion Pathogenesis of ICGCT is thought to be either from primordial germ cells that have migrated aberrantly during embryonic development or from pluripotent embryonic cells that have been entrapped into lateral mesoderm due to misfolding and misplacement and then undergo malignant transformation. The outcomes of ICGCTs differ among histological subtypes. Highest survival rates are seen in patients with germinomas or mature teratomas (10- year survival rate >90% in both groups. The lowest survival rates are seen in choriocarcinoma, embryonal carcinoma and yolk sac tumor.

A case report of Growing Teratoma Syndrome in a Patient with Intracranial Mixed Germ Cell Tumor

A case report of Growing Teratoma Syndrome in a Patient with Intracranial Mixed Germ Cell Tumor

Intracranial mixed germ cell tumor

Objective: To study intracranial mixed germ cell tumor diagnosis and reasonable treatment strategy. Methods: Clinical data of 17 patients with intracranial mixed germ cell tumor in Tsinghua university Yuquan hospital from October 2012 to October 2016 were retrospective analysed, including the characteristics of the general, the serum tumor markers of AFP, β-HCG, and CEA, imaging findings, pathological results, treatment methods and prognosis. Results: There were 10 cases of male, 7 cases of female. The average age was (11.1±5.2) years old. Nine cases were gross total resection of lesions and 8 cases were subtotal resection of lesions. Eight cases (47.1%) were without recurrence and had more than four courses of chemotherapy after surgery, of which, 7 cases belonged to the gross total resection, and 1 case belonged to the subtotal resection. Nine (52.9%) patients relapsed, including 2 cases of the gross total resection and 7 cases of the subtotal resection. Among them, 4 cases were given second operations and 6 cases obtained satisfactory therapeutic effect by chemotherapy combined radiotherapy. There were 12 of 17 patients with pathological types contain teratoma (including mature, immature or malignant teratoma) ingredients, accounting for 70.6%. The average follow-up time was (17.5±12.1) months, 4 cases (23.5%) patients died. Conclusion: The diagnosis of intracranial mixed germ cell tumors needs comprehensive consideration of tumor markers in serum or cerebrospinal fluid, chemotherapy and radiotherapy before operation and pathological results. The gross total resection helps to reduce the chances of tumor recurrence. Rational chemotherapy and radiotherapy is helpful to prognosis.

Can mixed pure hepatocellular carcinoma and germinoma arise together in the brain?

Intracranial germ-cell tumors (GCTs) represent 10–15% of all pediatric brain tumors in East Asia. There is a wide histopathological spectrum of intracranial GCTs. Germinomas and nongerminomatous GCTs are the two major classifications. It is difficult to distinguish different subtypes of intracranial GCTs based solely on imaging studies, however, some tumor markers, such as α-fetoprotein or β-human chorionic gonadotropin, are helpful for diagnosis. In this study we present the case of a 13-year-old girl with an intracranial mixed GCT containing a hepatocellular carcinoma and germinoma without a primary liver tumor. Based on this unique pathological diagnosis, a series of treatments were applied, including surgery for gross tumor removal, adjuvant radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Long-term follow up indicates fair disease control.

Primary Intracranial Mixed Germ-Cell Tumors in Adult: MR Findings

The incidence of primary intracranial mixed germ-cell tumor varies geographically. Preoperative diagnosis is of great importance in treatment planning. We describe the clinical and MRI findings of a case of mixed germ-cell tumors in the suprasellar region with emphasis on the imaging characteristics suggesting the histological diagnosis.

Management of malignant pineal germ cell tumors with residual mature teratoma.

The treatment of intracranial mixed germ cell tumors presents a unique challenge, since eradication of malignant tumor by radiation and/or chemotherapy may spare the benign tumor component. We reviewed our surgical experience with residual malignant pineal germ cell tumors after neoadjuvant therapy. Between 1987 and 1997, 16 patients with malignant intracranial germ cell tumors were treated at the Mayo Clinic with a protocol of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy. After the diagnosis was confirmed by histopathological examination, all patients were treated with four cycles of etoposide and cisplatin as well as external beam radiation therapy (range, 3030-5940 cGy). Six patients had an incomplete response to therapy, as demonstrated by observation of residual tumor on magnetic resonance imaging scans. Initial pathology in these six patients was germinoma in four and combinations of yolk sac tumor, embryonal carcinoma, malignant teratoma, and germinoma in two. Two patients had synchronous pineal and suprasellar tumors, with leptomeningeal dissemination. Tumor markers were elevated in four of the six patients at presentation. All patients with residual pineal tumors underwent surgical resection via an infratentorial, supracerebellar approach. Pathological examination revealed mature teratoma in five patients and amorphous debris in one patient. No patient had recurrent malignancy. Significant neurological morbidity occurred in one patient, with no mortality. At a mean follow-up of 23 months, no recurrence on magnetic resonance imaging has been documented. Residual pineal tumor occurring after treatment of malignant intracranial germ cell tumor with neoadjuvant therapy is likely to be mature teratoma. Operative resection of these benign recurrences is safe and effective.

Mixed Germ-cell Tumor of the Brain: Pathologic Study of Six Autopsy Cases

Intracranial mixed germ-cell tumors are rare. We describe the findings from six autopsies of patients with these tumors. The patients were all young at presentation (mean age, 16 years), and five of the six were male. Headache, vomiting, polyuria and diplopia were common symptoms. Radiographic evaluation demonstrated a mass on the midline of the brain. The patients were treated mainly with radiation, but survival (mean, 3.7 years) was not as long as predicted. At autopsy, the tumors occupied most of the ventricular spaces, and ranged from being well-circumscribed to invasive. All tumors contained both germinoma components and nongerminomatous germ-cell tumor components. Because the distribution of these components was not homogenous, at least two sections were necessary for the diagnosis. Immunoreactivity for placental alkaline phosphatase was found in all tumors. Immunostaining for human chorional gonadotropin, alpha-fetoprotein and carcinoembryonic antigen was usually associated with abnormally high serum levels of these tumors markers in life. A number of the cells in both kinds of tumor components expressed proliferating cell nuclear antigen, probably reflecting the intense malignant potential.

Postoperative chemotherapy for primary intracranial germ cell tumor

Two children with primary intracranial mixed germ cell tumors are described who were successfully treated by partial resection of the tumor followed by sequential combination chemotherapy without radiation therapy. The chemotherapy consisting of VP-16 and cisplatin alternating with vincristine, methotrexate, and bleomycin resulted in apparent complete response after 6 to 7 months of treatment. Disease-free remission has continued 30-34 months off therapy. A small residual mass in one patient continues to decrease in size on magnetic resonance imaging and is presumed to represent postsurgical change rather than malignant tumor. This report demonstrates that chemotherapy may be effective in primary germ cell tumors of the suprasellar and pineal regions and could be considered for primary treatment instead of radiotherapy.

Intracranial mixed germ cell tumor with syncytiotrophoblastic giant cells and precocious puberty

A 9-year-old male patient developed a germ cell tumor in the right basal ganglia which secreted beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-HCG) and caused precocious puberty. Histology and immunohistochemical staining for placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP), alpha-fetoprotein (alpha-FP), and beta-HCG showed a mixed population of neoplastic germinocytes, embryonal carcinoma, and syncytiotrophoblastic giant cells (STGC). Immunohistochemical double-staining for alpha-FP and beta-HCG revealed that these two markers were produced by different subsets of cells. Expression of the proliferation marker Ki-67 showed a growth fraction of 53% for the neoplastic germinocytes and embryonal carcinoma cells, but only 21% for the STGC.