Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Central Nervous System Germ Cell Tumors.

Regina Jakacki1

  • 1Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, 3520 Fifth Avenue, Suite 205, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. jakackr@chplink.chp.edu

Current Treatment Options in Neurology
|February 6, 2002
PubMed
Summary

Central nervous system germ cell tumors are often malignant and require specific treatments. While pure germinomas are curable with radiation, malignant non-germinomas and teratomas have different therapeutic approaches.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Amplification of mutated NRAS leading to congenital melanoma in neurocutaneous melanocytosis.

Melanoma research·2015
Same author

A phase I trial and PK study of cediranib (AZD2171), an orally bioavailable pan-VEGFR inhibitor, in children with recurrent or refractory primary CNS tumors.

Child's nervous system : ChNS : official journal of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery·2015
Same author

Ketamine PCA for treatment of end-of-life neuropathic pain in pediatrics.

The American journal of hospice & palliative care·2014
Same author

Multimodality therapy for CNS mixed malignant germ cell tumors (MMGCT): results of a phase II multi-institutional study.

Journal of neuro-oncology·2014
Same author

The development of Moyamoya syndrome after proton beam therapy.

Pediatric blood & cancer·2014
Same author

Efficacy of bevacizumab plus irinotecan in children with recurrent low-grade gliomas--a Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium study.

Neuro-oncology·2013

Area of Science:

  • Neuro-oncology
  • Pediatric Oncology
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Germ cell tumors (GCTs) predominantly affect children and adolescents, with some occurring in the central nervous system (CNS).
  • Excluding mature teratomas, CNS GCTs are malignant and necessitate distinct treatment strategies.
  • Pure germinomas exhibit high sensitivity to treatment, whereas non-germinomatous GCTs are more resistant.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the diagnostic criteria and treatment modalities for CNS germ cell tumors.
  • To evaluate the efficacy and long-term outcomes of various treatment approaches for different types of CNS GCTs.
  • To discuss the role of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy in managing these rare tumors.

Main Methods:

  • Review of literature on CNS germ cell tumors, focusing on diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes.
  • Analysis of treatment responses based on tumor histology (germinoma vs. non-germinoma vs. teratoma).
  • Examination of recurrence patterns and psychosocial functioning in patients treated with different therapeutic regimens.

Main Results:

  • Pure germinomas are highly curable with craniospinal radiation therapy; surgery is primarily for diagnosis.
  • Diagnostic confirmation involves specific serum and cerebrospinal fluid tumor markers like alpha-fetoprotein and beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin (beta-hCG).
  • Malignant non-germinomatous GCTs require platinum-based chemotherapy and full-dose craniospinal radiation; surgical resection has prognostic significance.
  • Pure teratomas are resistant to chemotherapy and radiation, with surgery being the primary treatment.

Conclusions:

  • Treatment strategies for CNS germ cell tumors must be tailored to the specific histologic type.
  • While chemotherapy can be used adjunctively for germinomas, concerns exist regarding recurrence rates and the rationale for altering established radiation protocols.
  • Effective management of malignant non-germinomatous GCTs relies on combined modality treatment, including chemotherapy and radiation, alongside surgical considerations.

Related Experiment Videos