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[Primary intrasellar germinoma with amenorrhea--a case report]
A Ishikura1, N Hunaki, K Watanabe
1Dept. of Neurosurgery, Kanazawa National Hospital.
Gan No Rinsho. Japan Journal of Cancer Clinics
|November 1, 1987
Summary
A rare sellar region germinoma caused headaches, amenorrhea, and vision loss in a young woman. Surgical removal and radiation therapy successfully treated the tumor, restoring normal vision.
Area of Science:
- Neuroendocrinology
- Neurosurgery
- Oncology
Background:
- Intracranial germinomas are rare tumors, often presenting with varied neurological and endocrine symptoms.
- Sellar region tumors can cause hypopituitarism and visual disturbances due to mass effect.
Observation:
- A 22-year-old woman presented with headaches, secondary amenorrhea, and visual acuity loss.
- Endocrine evaluation revealed hypopituitarism and elevated serum prolactin.
- Imaging demonstrated an intrasellar lesion with suprasellar extension.
Findings:
- Histological analysis confirmed an intrasellar germinoma.
- The patient underwent transsphenoidal tumor removal and adjuvant whole-brain radiation therapy (3500 rads).
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering germinomas in the differential diagnosis of sellar masses, especially in young adults.
- Successful treatment led to complete visual recovery and suggests efficacy of combined surgical and radiation approaches for intracranial germinomas.