Concurrent chemoradiotherapy for primary cervical spinal cord germinoma

Area of Science:

• Neuro-oncology
• Spinal Cord Neoplasms
• Germ Cell Tumors

Background:

• Primary intramedullary germinomas of the spinal cord are exceptionally rare, with only a few documented cases.
• Intramedullary germinomas typically occur in younger patients and often involve the brain.

Observation:

• A 39-year-old woman presented with a primary intramedullary germinoma in the cervical spinal cord.
• The patient had no evidence of intracranial or disseminated germ cell tumors.

Findings:

• The patient underwent biopsy followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy, a treatment regimen not previously reported for this condition.
• Histological confirmation of primary intramedullary cervical spinal cord germinoma was established.
• At 20-month follow-up, the patient was disease-free with significant resolution of pre-operative neurological deficits.

Implications:

• This case highlights the potential efficacy of concurrent chemoradiotherapy for primary spinal cord germinomas.
• It expands the understanding of germinoma presentation and treatment in adults.
• The successful outcome suggests a potential therapeutic avenue for similar rare spinal cord tumors.