Mixed or metachronous germ-cell tumor?

Authors: Shim, Kyu-Won; Kim, Dong-Seok; Choi, Joong-Uhn

Source: Child's Nervous System, Volume 23, Number 6, June 2007 , pp. 713-718(6)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

We report the extremely rare occurrence of a second germ-cell tumor at a different site and with different histological types long after total resolution of a pineal germinoma.

A 21-year-old man who presented with headache and diplopia was admitted to our hospital. Neuroradiological studies revealed a tumor in the pineal region. The tumor was biopsied with endoscope, and third ventriculostomy was performed. Histologically, the tumor proved to be a germinoma. The patient received 3 cycles of combination chemotherapy consisting of carboplatin and etoposide with radiotherapy. The tumor was totally resolute. Twelve months later, he was readmitted with headache and diplopia. Neuroradiological studies showed a tumor in the right temporal lobe.

The second tumor was totally removed. Histologically, the tumor proved to be a mixed germ-cell tumor, which consisted a yolk-sac tumor and a germinoma. After the second course of chemotherapy, magnetic resonance image studies revealed no evidence of the tumor.

The second tumor was considered to be a metachronous neoplasm rather than a recurrence of the original mixed germ-cell tumor, which consisted a yolk-sac tumor and a germinoma.

Keywords: Germ-cell tumor; Metachronous; Germinoma; Mixed germ-cell tumor

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00381-006-0273-6

Affiliations: 1: Email: dskim33@yumc.yonsei.ac.kr

Publication date: 2007-06-01