Affiliations: Department of Neurological Surgery, The Ohio State
University Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA | College of Medicine and Public Health, The Ohio State
University, Columbus, OH, USA | Department of Neurosurgery, Outpatient Care Center,
Columbus Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
Note: [] Correspondence: Scott W. Elton, M.D., Section of Pediatric
Neurosurgery, Department of Neurological Surgery, The Ohio State University
Medical Center, and Columbus Children's Hospital, Tenth Floor, North, Doan
Hall, 410 West Tenth Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. Tel.: +1 614 293 0821;
Fax: +1 614 293 4024; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: A 14-year-old girl with a suprasellar mixed malignant germ cell
tumor was treated with complete surgical resection, chemotherapy, and radiation
therapy. We performed a literature search to explore the current treatment
options and prognosis of such a diagnosis. In reviewing the literature on mixed
germ cell tumors, it appears that platinum-based chemotherapy regimens combined
with radiation therapy provide the best outcome in terms of survival rates.
Although controversial and debated, initial therapy should include surgical
resection or a stereotactic biopsy when resection is not possible. By obtaining
tissue for histopathology, one can tailor treatment plans accordingly and
provide greater prognostic accuracy. In this case report, all three therapeutic
modalities were used in the treatment of a mixed malignant germ cell tumor.
Thus far, 20 months posttreatment, the patient is doing well and is
neurologically intact, but diagnosis and treatment were relatively recent. Only
time will tell the efficacy of this treatment plan.
