[Primary germinal tumors of the central nervous system]

Primary intra-cranial germ-cell tumors are a rare and heterogeneous group of neoplasms, identical to germ-cell tumors of gonads and other organs. These tumors arise along the midline, from the supra-sellar cistern to the pineal gland, and have neurological, ophthalmological, and endocrinological expression. The diagnosis is established by detection of increased levels of tumoral markers and/or by histological examination. The treatment includes chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery.