Pinealomas and germinomas in children

Abstract

A series of 34 pinealomas and intracranial germinomas in childhood (age less than 20), from two tumor registries, is analyzed. Male to female ratio was 2:1. Median age was 12 years. Visual complaints and endocrine disturbances were the most common presenting symptoms. Papilledema, visual field deficits, and oculomotor abnormalities were the principal findings at diagnosis. Cumulative probability of survival (CPS) of the entire series at one year was 0.65, at two years 0.54, and at five years 0.54. Best survival was with treatment by operation and radiation: CPS at one year was 0.82, at two years 0.82, and at five years still 0.82. Survival was similar with pineal region tumors and with suprasellar tumors. Most long-term survivors, particularly with suprasellar germinomas, had permanent hormonal deficits requiring replacement therapy.

Intracranial germ-cell tumours — treatment results and residuals

“…Farwell and Flannery [ 11] reported on 11 patients with suprasellar germ-cell tumours. One patient with a teratoma was treated by operation alone, 5 by surgery and radiotherapy and 4 by radiotherapy alone.…”

“…Two-cell germinoma arising in the pineal or suprasellar region is the most common type, comprising over 50% of all germ-cell tumours [2,11,19,28]. The remainder are either histologically benign or malignant and much less radiosensitive.…”