Nonsurgical treatment of huge suprasellar germinoma

A case describing a huge, suprasellar germinoma with subfrontal extension that produced striking emaciation of the patient as an initial symptom is discussed. Diagnosis of germinoma was made on the basis of a computed tomography scan and cytology of the ventricular fluid. The tumor responded well to radiation treatment, which may indicate that it is not always necessary to reduce tumor bulk by direct surgical intervention before radiation therapy.