Treatment Course and Outcomes of Intracranial Teratomas in Pediatric Patients: A Retrospective 15-Year Case Series Study

Abstract

Introduction There is no standard treatment paradigm for intracranial teratomas, a rare subset of primary intracranial nongerminomatous germ cell tumors (NGGCT), which comprise less than 1% of pediatric brain tumors. This case series retrospectively analyzes treatment and outcomes of pediatric intracranial teratomas from a single institution. Methods Authors reviewed a comprehensive pathology database at Stanford’s Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital for intracranial teratomas in pediatric patients treated from 2006-2021. Demographics, treatment and clinical course were analyzed. Results Among 14 patients, median follow-up time was 4.6 years and mean age at diagnosis was 10.5 years. Ten had elevated tumor markers and underwent chemotherapy as initial treatment for NGGCT. Ultimately, these patients all required surgery for progressive or residual disease. Two patients did not undergo radiation. After biopsy or resection, eight patients had pure mature teratoma; five had mixed germ cell tumor with teratoma component; and one had immature teratoma. The patient with immature teratoma died during chemotherapy from septic shock. No patients experienced recurrence. Common sequelae were endocrine (42.8%) and eye movement (50.0%) abnormalities. Discussion/Conclusion We highlight the variable treatment course and outcome for pediatric patients with intracranial teratomas. Elevated tumor markers at presentation, along with imaging findings, favor chemotherapy initiation for presumed NGGCT. Resection of residual tumor is recommended even if tumor markers return to normal. Prognosis remains excellent; no patients had recurrence with a median follow-up of 4.6 years.