title: Primary embryonal carcinoma of the orbit in a 10-month-old female: a seven-year follow-up.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Extra-gonadal germ cell tumors (GCTs) are rare and can be highly aggressive. If correctly identified and treated with multimodality chemotherapy, their prognosis can be significantly improved. We examined a 10 month-old female with primary embryonal carcinoma of the orbit.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case report and literature review.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case study with 7-year follow-up and literature review of intracranial and intraorbital GCT cases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patient presented with progressive proptosis and ophthalmoplegia. CT scan revealed an orbital apex mass and biopsy demonstrated a nongerminomatous GCT--an embryonal carcinoma. The patient is tumor-free 7 years after multimodality chemotherapy. She has mild amblyopia and a right micro esotropia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nongonadal GCTs of the orbit can occur and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a young child with proptosis and ophthalmoplegia. Five-year survival rates improve significantly with accurate identification and treatment.
authors.affiliation: Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Sylvia L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Kostick
authors.forename: Robert W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Hered
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Joyce
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D018236:Carcinoma, Embryonal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D005094:Exophthalmos / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009886:Ophthalmoplegia / Q000175:diagnosis; D009918:Orbital Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor