title: What's growing on? The growing teratoma syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The growing teratoma syndrome (GTS) consists of a mature teratoma paradoxically enlarging during or after chemotherapy for malignant nongerminomatous germ cell tumors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We report two cases of GTS occurring in association with NSGCT of the pineal gland. Although an unusual event, clinicians and radiologists should be aware of its natural history.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When normalized tumor markers after chemotherapy are associated with imaging features of a growing mass, the hypothesis of GTS must be taken in consideration. When early diagnosed, GTS can be managed surgically with good results.
authors.affiliation: Academic Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani N 5, 35128, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Denaro
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pluchinotta
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Faggin
authors.forename: Renzo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Manara
authors.forename: Milena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Calderone
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Viscardi
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gardiman
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rossetto
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Perilongo
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: d'Avella
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000379:methods; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009373:Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D010871:Pinealoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D013577:Syndrome; D013724:Teratoma / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents