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[Recurrent germinoma successfully treated with cisplatin. Case report].
Neurologia Medico-Chirurgica
|June 1, 1989
Summary
Recurrent germinoma, initially treated with irradiation, showed spinal and intraventricular metastases. Cisplatin chemotherapy achieved complete tumor disappearance, highlighting its curative potential in recurrent germinoma cases.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Medical imaging
- Chemotherapy
Background:
- Germinomas are rare tumors often affecting young males.
- Suprasellar germinomas can metastasize to the spine and brain.
- Treatment resistance and recurrence pose significant challenges.
Observation:
- A 23-year-old male with suprasellar germinoma developed spinal metastases after initial irradiation.
- Recurrence occurred six years later with intraventricular tumors, marked by elevated human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) and HCG beta subunit levels.
- Initial irradiation reduced tumor size but did not achieve complete eradication.
Findings:
- Histopathological diagnosis confirmed typical germinoma in spinal metastases.
- Computed tomography (CT) confirmed complete disappearance of intraventricular tumors after cisplatin chemotherapy.
- Serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) HCG and HCG beta subunit levels correlated with tumor burden.
Implications:
- Cisplatin demonstrates significant efficacy in treating recurrent germinoma, including intraventricular disease.
- Monitoring HCG and HCG beta subunit levels is crucial for assessing treatment response in germinoma.
- This case highlights the potential for long-term remission with chemotherapy in advanced germinoma.