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Pediatric CNS Tumors pp 121–143Cite as

Intracranial Germ Cell Tumors

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Part of the book series: Pediatric Oncology ((PEDIATRICO))

Abstract

Intracranial germ cell tumors (GCTs) are a group of relatively uncommon tumors, comprising less than 1 % of all central nervous system (CNS) tumors, that have histological, genetic, biochemical, diagnostic, and therapeutic similarities to GCTs that occur outside the CNS (Ostrom et al. 2014). In this chapter, we review the epidemiology of intracranial GCTs, the pathologic features of both benign and malignant GCTs, and their molecular and cytogenetic characteristics. We discuss the clinical features of intracranial GCTs and the role of imaging and laboratory investigations in diagnosis. In broaching the controversy surrounding diagnostic biopsy, we delineate the arguments for and against mandatory biopsy prior to treatment. We review recent changes in practice with de-escalation in radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment approaches. Lastly, we discuss risk stratification to intensify treatment in patients with intracranial GCTs that have a poor prognosis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California San Francisco, 1825 4th St, Suite M2267, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA

    Steve Braunstein MD, PhD

  2. Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Ave, New York, NY, 10065, USA

    Sean M. McBride MD, MDH

  3. Department of Radiation Oncology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, & Boston Children’s Hospital, 450 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA, D1622, USA

    Daphne A. Haas-Kogan MD

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  1. Steve Braunstein MD, PhD
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  2. Sean M. McBride MD, MDH
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  3. Daphne A. Haas-Kogan MD
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Correspondence to Steve Braunstein MD, PhD .

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  1. San Francisco, California, USA

    Nalin Gupta

  2. San Francisco, California, USA

    Anuradha Banerjee

  3. Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Daphne A. Haas-Kogan

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Braunstein, S., McBride, S.M., Haas-Kogan, D.A. (2017). Intracranial Germ Cell Tumors. In: Gupta, N., Banerjee, A., Haas-Kogan, D. (eds) Pediatric CNS Tumors. Pediatric Oncology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-30789-3_6

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