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Pineal germinoma with widespread extracranial metastases
Author(s) -
Kim Kitai,
Koo Bon Chul,
Delaflor Richard R.,
Shaikh Bahu S.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
diagnostic cytopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.417
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1097-0339
pISSN - 8755-1039
DOI - 10.1002/dc.2840010207
Subject(s) - medicine , germinoma , pathology , metastasis , metastatic carcinoma , pinealoma , ascites , radiology , dysgerminoma , lung , carcinoma , radiation therapy , ovary , cancer
A case of primary pineal germinoma with widespread extracranial metastasis in a 36‐year‐old man is presented. A clinical work‐up revealed bilateral pleural effusions, ascites, and metastatic lesions involving the lung. Cytology and electron microscopic study of the pleural and ascitic fluid and of the fine needle aspiration material revealed metastatic germinoma. Although the cytologic features were not distinct from those of anaplastic carcinoma, they were distinguishable from those of glial neoplasms, lymphoma, and sarcoma. The computed tomography findings, elevated human chorionic gonadotropin level, and electron microscopic features contributed significantly to the diagnosis of extracranial metastasis of the pineal germinoma. Metastatic spread most likely occurred via the ventriculoperitoneal shunt.