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. 2012 Jul-Aug;32(4):359-65.
doi: 10.5144/0256-4947.2012.359.

Intracranial germ cell tumors: a single-institution experience

Yasser Khafaga  1 , Amr El Weshi, Mohamed Nazmy, Maher Hassounah, Esam Alshail, Emad Moussa, Ayman Allam, Amani Alkofide, Arif Jamshed, Gamal ELhusseiny, Ibrahim Ezzat, Derek Jenkin
Affiliations

Intracranial germ cell tumors: a single-institution experience

Yasser Khafaga et al. Ann Saudi Med. 2012 Jul-Aug.

Abstract

Background and objectives: Intracranial germ cell tumors (GCTs) are not a common disease. We reviewed the experience of a single institution to determine the variables that affect treatment outcome.

Design and setting: A retrospective review of patients with the diagnosis of intracranial germ cell tumors treated in a single institution (KFSHRC) during the period from March 1985 to December 2007.

Patients and methods: Fifty-seven patients with the diagnosis of intracranial GCT were recorded in the KFSHRC Tumor Registry during the period from 1985 to 2007. Seven patients with a pineal region tumor treated as germinomas in the earlier years without a tissue diagnosis were excluded. This retrospective study was restricted to the remaining 50 patients with a tissue or marker diagnosis: 31 germinomas and 19 non-germinomatous germ cell tumors (NGGCTs).

Results: The 10-year overall survival (OS), event-free survival (EFS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) were 87%, 88% and 96% for patients with germinoma, with a median follow-up of 4.5 (range 2-17) years, compared with 26%, 29% and 46% for patients with NGGCT with a median follow-up of 3 (range 1.5-13) years. For NGGCT, variables favorably influencing OS were younger age (< 16 y vs ≥16 y, P=.01), higher radiation dose (>50 Gy vs ≤50 Gy; P=.03) and later year of diagnosis (>1990 vs <1990 P=.002).

Conclusions: Tissue diagnosis of GCTs is mandatory prior to treatment except for patients with elevated markers. In germinoma, localized radiotherapy (RT) for M0 patients may be adequate. Long-term follow-up is needed to define the benefit of adding chemotherapy. For NGGCT, the use of combined modality treatment and RT dose ;gt;50 Gy are important factors that influence the outcome. Second-look surgery and resection of residual/ refractory tumors is always recommended.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Overall survival.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Event-free survival.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Relapse-free survival.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Overall survival and age in NGGCT.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Overall survival by the time period of treatment.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Overall survival and tumor dose in NGGCT.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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