Intracranial multiple midline germinomas: is histological verification crucial for therapy?

Neth J Med. 2007 Nov;65(10):386-9.

Abstract

In this report we present two patients with intracranial multiple midline tumours in the suprasellar region and pineal gland. We postulate that in a patient with multiple midline tumours and normal values of the tumour markers human chorionic gonadotropin and alpha-fetoprotein in serum and cerebrospinal fluid, the only possible diagnosis is a germinoma. In such a situation no histological confirmation is required to start low-dose radiotherapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Brain Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology
  • Brain Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Diabetes Insipidus / complications*
  • Diabetes Insipidus / pathology
  • Female
  • Germinoma / diagnosis*
  • Germinoma / pathology
  • Germinoma / radiotherapy
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pineal Gland / pathology