Treatment Outcomes and Prognostic Factors of Intracranial Germ Cell Tumors: A Single Institution Retrospective Study
- Author:
Eunjong LEE
1
;
Kihwan HWANG
;
Kyeong-O GO
;
Jung Ho HAN
;
Hyoung Soo CHOI
;
Yu Jung KIM
;
Byung Se CHOI
;
In Ah KIM
;
Gheeyoung CHOE
;
Chae-Yong KIM
Author Information
- Publication Type:ORIGINAL ARTICLE
- From:Brain Tumor Research and Treatment 2025;13(2):45-52
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background:This study analyzed the epidemiology and treatment outcomes of germ cell tumorpatients at a single institution.
Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on intracranial germ cell tumor (iGCT) pa-tients treated at a single tertiary hospital from 2004 to 2019. Patients were categorized based on treatment modality: Korean Society for Pediatric Neuro-Oncology (KSPNO) protocol or bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin with radiation therapy.
Results:Forty-nine iGCT patients treated with combined chemotherapy and radiotherapywere analyzed. The median age was 19 years (range: 6–40), with a median follow-up duration of 148.0 months (range: 10.5–265.5). Tumors were most common in the pineal gland (51.0%). Although no significant differences in outcomes were observed between treatment modalities, outcomes varied significantly by pathological type. The 10-year progression-free survival rates for germinoma and non-germinomatous germ cell tumors (NGGCTs) were 88.1% and 32.7%, respectively (p=0.003), while the 10-year overall survival rates were 92.9% and 67.5%, respectively (p<0.001). Fourteen patients experienced CTCAE (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events) grade ≥3 adverse events, with one eventrelated death.
Conclusion:Pure germinoma demonstrated higher survival and lower recurrence rates comparedto NGGCT. The KSPNO protocol appears to be an acceptable and safe treatment option for iGCT patients. Further multi-institutional studies with larger cohorts are warranted.
