Clinical Pediatric Hematology-Oncology  2011;18(1):40-44

Clinical Characteristics of Intracranial Germ Cell Tumors in Children

Moon Sun KIM 1 ; Na Hee LEE ; Meong Hi SON ; Soo Hyun LEE ; Keon Hee YOO ; Ki Woong SUNG ; Hong Hoe KOO ; Ju Youn KIM ; Eun Joo CHO

Affiliations

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Keywords

Intracranial germ cell tumor; Clinical characteristics; Pediatric brain tumor

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Intracranial germ cell tumors are higher in the East Asia such as Korea and Japan than any other Western countries. By analyzing common clinical features of intracranial germ cell tumors in children, we will prevent from misdiagnosing and delaying in the establishment of diagnosis. Furthermore, we can choose appropriate therapeutic plans to improve patient's prognosis.METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 68 patients to investigate and analyze clinical characteristics of intracranial germ cell tumors in children.RESULTS: The average age of 68 patients was 14.8 years old, and the male to female ratio in all patients was 3:1. The most common symptom presented by 30 patients was headache regarded as a nonspecific symptom in brain tumors. Sixty four patients were diagnosed by histologic method called biopsy and most of them were come out into germinoma. Thirty five patients were included in low-risk group and 30 patients were in high-risk group. Intracranial germ cell tumors in this study were most commonly located in the pineal gland.CONCLUSION: There are a variety of types in intracranial germ cell tumors, and they have been accurately diagnosed by radiologic, histologic methods and elevated tumor markers. We concluded that it is necessary for early diagnosis to evaluate exhaustively in patients suspected of brain tumors.