ISSN:
1569-8041
Keywords:
endocrine
;
germ-cell tumour
;
germinoma
;
long-term sequelae
;
neuropsychological
;
ophthalmologic defects
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Background:Information on long-term follow-up of children andadolescents treated for intracerebral germ-cell tumour is scant. We report onthe results of a small series of patients treated at a single institution. Patients and methods:Hospital records from 15 patients treatedbetween 1980 and 1998 were reviewed. An attempt was made to correlate sequelaeto tumour location and treatment modalities. Results:This cohort constitutes 5.5% of all brain tumoursdiagnosed at our institution. Histology: 10 germinomas, 2 benign teratomas,2 malignant teratomas, and one mixed germ-cell tumour. Overall survival was87%, with a mean follow-up time of 7 years and 8 months. The majorityof patients have long-term sequelae involving one or several organ systems.In 66% endocrine, in 47% ophthalmologic, in 60%neuropsychological defects were observed. Endocrine and ophthalmologicsequelae show a correlation to tumour location. Neuropsychological long-termabnormalities are frequent and are associated with cranial irradiation inparticular at young age, but less with tumour location, irradiation dose orsurgery. Conclusions:Our preliminary data suggest that today intracerebralgerminomas and mature teratomas have a good prognosis even when a relapseoccurs. The outcome for mixed germ-cell tumours and malignant teratomas isless favourable. Although long-term sequelae are present in the majority ofpatients, there is some evidence that patients treated after 1990 suffer fewersevere long-term defects, thereby indicating that recent treatment protocolsmay result in a reduction of sequelae.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1008303429718
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