Abstract
CNS germ cell tumors (GCT) are rare tumors that arise in midline brain regions (mostly pineal or suprasellar). They are of two types, germinoma and non-germinomatous germ cell tumors (NGGCT) which include teratoma, choriocarcinoma, yolk sac tumor, embryonal carcinoma, and mixed GCT. Patients most commonly present with seizures.
Tissue is needed for diagnosis unless serum or cerebrospinal fluid markers, b-HCG or AFP, are elevated. The following panel workup can precisely assess the tumor by immunohistochemistry. Germinoma will be positive for both SALL4 + and OCT4 + but negative for CD30, whereas embryonal carcinoma will show SALL4+/OCT4+/CD30+ profile and yolk sac tumor will show SALL4+/OCT4−/CD30− profile.
The chapter illustrates multiple MR images and findings, intraoperative cytology, histopathology, IHC pictures, and their features along with differential diagnosis for each of the above, genetic profile, prognosis, and case studies.
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Chougule, M. (2020). Germ Cell Tumors. In: Neuropathology of Brain Tumors with Radiologic Correlates. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-7126-8_18
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-7126-8_18
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