Reflections on Preventive and Therapeutic Strategies on Metastatic Germinoma in Abdomen: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Background: We are introducing a case in which a patient of cranial germinoma developed peritoneal metastasis after ventriculo-peritoneal shunt and chemoradiotherapy. It would enlighten us to investigate the optimization of treatment on cranial germinoma when hydrocephalus exists to avoid peritoneal metastasis via shunt. Also, it required further investigations into the agent use in chemotherapy for metastatic germinoma. Case presentation: The patient presented with severe obstructive hydrocephalus so that shunt was processed promptly. He then underwent chemoradiotherapy and tumor in pineal region diminished significantly. Unexpectedly, the patient began to complain of abdominal distention 4 months after the treatment and peritoneal metastasis of germinoma was confirmed. Finally, chemotherapy successfully treated the metastatic tumor as exhibited in the latest examinations.Conclusions: This is a rare case we met amongst patients with cranial germinoma. It inspired us to reflect on the treatment optimization of cranial germinoma with hydrocephalus and standardization of agent use in metastatic germinoma.