Mixed malignant germ cell tumour of the lateral ventricle in an 8-month-old girl: case report and review of the literature.

ABSTRACT

CASE REPORT We report a huge intracerebral malignant germ cell tumour (GCT) which appeared in the lateral ventricles of an 8-month-old girl. Due to extensive tumour vascularisation only partial resection was achieved. Histology revealed an embryonal carcinoma mixed with a teratoma. The MIB-1 staining index was >20%. Chemotherapy induced a marked regression of the tumour. After chemotherapy complete resection of the tumour remnant was easily achieved. Histology showed only mesenchymal differentiated tumour tissue and the embryonal carcinoma could no longer be detected. More than 2 years after the second operation and 31 months after diagnosis the child remains tumour-free. CONCLUSION: The majority of cranial mixed malignant GCTs affects patients older than 4 years of age. To our knowledge this is the youngest patient in whom an intracranial malignant GCT containing an embryonal carcinoma has been diagnosed and successfully treated.