Postoperative chemotherapy for primary intracranial germ cell tumor.
Two children with primary intracranial mixed germ cell tumors are described who were successfully treated by partial resection of the tumor followed by sequential combination chemotherapy without radiation therapy. The chemotherapy consisting of VP-16 and cisplatin alternating with vincristine, methotrexate, and bleomycin resulted in apparent complete response after 6 to 7 months of treatment. Disease-free remission has continued 30-34 months off therapy. A small residual mass in one patient continues to decrease in size on magnetic resonance imaging and is presumed to represent postsurgical change rather than malignant tumor. This report demonstrates that chemotherapy may be effective in primary germ cell tumors of the suprasellar and pineal regions and could be considered for primary treatment instead of radiotherapy.
Department of Pediatrics-Hematology/Oncology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio 78284-7810.
V L
VL
Castañeda
R T
RT
Parmley
C F
CF
Geiser
V A
VA
Saldivar
J K
JK
Mullins
A E
AE
Marlin
D000293:Adolescent; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001761:Bleomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009373:Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D011184:Postoperative Period; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
D001761:Bleomycin; D014750:Vincristine; D005047:Etoposide; D002945:Cisplatin; D002955:Leucovorin; D008727:Methotrexate