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Review
. 2017 Nov 1;10(11):10700-10710.
eCollection 2017.

Primary intracranial embryonal carcinoma in children: report of two cases with review of the literature

Tao Jiang  1   2 , Raynald  1   2 , Hongchao Yang  3 , Junmei Wang  2 , Jiang Du  2 , Wenhui Zhang  4 , Qiang Shao  5 , Chunde Li  1
Affiliations
Review

Primary intracranial embryonal carcinoma in children: report of two cases with review of the literature

Tao Jiang et al. Int J Clin Exp Pathol. .

Abstract

Embryonal carcinoma is a rare malignant brain tumor and stands for 5% of all intracranial germ cell tumors. Embryonal carcinoma occurs mainly in the posterior third ventricle and pineal region area. Preoperative imaging examination, blood serum and cerebrospinal fluid level of AFP and HCG can support the diagnosis. Subtotal to total removal with good preservation of the important structures can be achieved in this tumor resection. Embryonal carcinoma has poor prognosis result. Postoperative radiotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy may increase the survival rate, but due to the malignant characteristics of the tumor the 5 years survival rate remains low. We presented two cases of embryonal carcinoma in children. Subtotal resection was achieved in these two patients; patient who had had postoperative radiotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy had longer survival time than patient who had had surgery alone.

Keywords: Embryonal carcinoma; children; germ cell tumor.

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Conflict of interest statement

None.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
A: The tumor was located at posterior third ventricle and showed isodense on CT scan. B-D: MRI showed slight hypointense on T1-weighted sequences and displayed a strong contrast enhancement.
Figure 6
Figure 6
A histologically aggressive tumor containing epithelial primitive cells forming solid sheets and rare glandular formations (H&E staining, 100×).
Figure 7
Figure 7
Immunohistochemical staining was positive for (A) OCT3/4; (B) CD30; (C) CK; (D) Ki-67.
Figure 2
Figure 2
A-C: Postoperative MRI scans showing subtotal removal of the mass lesion in 5 years old patient. D-F: MRI scans 6 months after operation showed no recurrence of the tumor.
Figure 3
Figure 3
A: CT imaging revealed an isodense pineal area mass lesion, but there is slight hyperdense in it. B-D: MRI showed isointense to slight hypointense on T1-weighted sequences and displayed a heterogeneous contrast enhancement.
Figure 5
Figure 5
A: T2-weighted image showed intratumoral-hemorrhage-like signal. B: Postoperative CT scan revealed tumor recurrence after 3 months in 2 years old patient.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Postoperative MRI scans showing subtotal removal of the mass lesion in 2 years old patient.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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