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Primary central nervous system germ cell tumors. Effect of histologic confirmation on radiotherapy
Author(s) -
Kersh C. Ronald,
Constable William C.,
Eisert Donald R.,
Spaulding Cynthia A.,
Hahn Seung S.,
Jenrette Joseph M.,
Marks Richard D.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(19880601)61:11<2148::aid-cncr2820611103>3.0.co;2-q
Subject(s) - medicine , germ cell tumors , germinoma , radiation therapy , malignancy , central nervous system , germ cell , population , central nervous system disease , seminoma , pathology , radiology , chemotherapy , surgery , biochemistry , chemistry , environmental health , gene
Primary malignant intracranial germ cell tumors are rare lesions responsible for only 0.5% of all central nervous system (CNS) malignancy. With stereotactic localization these lesions can be safely biopsied, and histologic confirmation will affect the ultimate prognosis. This report is a multi‐institutional retrospective analysis of 33 patients diagnosed with a primary CNS germ cell tumor. Tumors in 14 patients (42%) were histologically confirmed (13 germinoma and one embryonal cell carcinoma); 19 patients were treated with a presumptive diagnosis. All patients were irradiated with a dose range of 3950 cGy to 6000 cGy to the primary lesions. Eight patients received craniospinal irradiation, and 25 patients were locally treated. The 5‐year actuarial survival for the entire population was 64%. The survival rate in patients with histologic confirmation was 79% versus 53% in the unbiopsied population. Radiation doses greater than 5000 cGy, radiotherapy volume, and age were prognostic factors in determining survival.