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01-04-2012 | Original Paper

Treatment strategies for initially disseminated intracranial germinomas

Experiences at a single institute

Authors: Yi-Wei Chen, Pin-I Huang, Yu-Wen Hu, Donald Ming-Tak Ho, Kai-Ping Chang, Wan-Yuo Guo, Feng-Chi Chang, Yi-Yen Lee, Cheng-Ying Shiau, Tai-Tong Wong, Sang-Hue Yen

Published in: Child's Nervous System | Issue 4/2012

Abstract

Purpose

Initially disseminated intracranial germinomas (IDIGs) can be observed in pre-adult and adolescent brain tumor patients. However, the disease prognosis is undetermined, and the method of optimal treatment remains controversial.

Methods

From January 1990 to January 2011, data on 91 intracranial germinoma patients (≤20 years old) were gathered from the Pediatric Brain Tumor database at Taipei Veterans General Hospital. A total of seven patients with a median age of 17.0 years had IDIGs (lesion sites >2), including IDIGs in the ventricular system or the spinal column. Craniospinal irradiation (CSI) plus a primary or metastatic boost was the mainstay strategy for radiotherapy. Six out of a total of seven patients (85.7%) also received systemic chemotherapy (CHT) after radiotherapy. Survivals rates between IDIGs and patients without dissemination were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method.

Results

The median follow-up time for all seven patients was 67.5 months (range, 10.3–142.3 months). None of the IDIG patients experienced a recurrence or mortality after the completion of treatment. The 5- and 10-year disease-free survival (DFS) between IDIG and non-dissemination patients were 100%, 100%, 93.0% and 78.6%, respectively (p = 0.339). The 5- and 10-year overall survival (OS) between IDIGs and non-dissemination cases were 100%, 100%, 93.7% and 89.4%, respectively (p = 0.473).

Conclusions

IDIG patients did not show reduced survival compared to non-dissemination patients if optimal radiotherapy and chemotherapy were used together.

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Title: Treatment strategies for initially disseminated intracranial germinomas
Experiences at a single institute
Authors: Yi-Wei Chen
Pin-I Huang
Yu-Wen Hu
Donald Ming-Tak Ho
Kai-Ping Chang
Wan-Yuo Guo
Feng-Chi Chang
Yi-Yen Lee
Cheng-Ying Shiau
Tai-Tong Wong
Sang-Hue Yen
Publication date: 01-04-2012
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Child's Nervous System / Issue 4/2012
Print ISSN: 0256-7040
Electronic ISSN: 1433-0350
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-012-1683-2

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Treatment strategies for initially disseminated intracranial germinomas

Experiences at a single institute

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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