Skip to main content
Log in

Primary Intramedullary Spinal Cord Germinoma: Case Report

  • Published:
Journal of Neuro-Oncology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We describe an 18-year-old male with an intramedullary spinal cord germinoma in whom the diagnosis was made two years after onset of a progressive myelopathy. Spinal cord germinomas are rare, most having been described in young Japanese adults. They often respond well to radiotherapy. A unique feature of this case was the prolonged time interval between onset of the patient's symptoms and ability to visualize the mass radiographically. A further interesting finding was the infiltrative nature of the tumor surrounding residual spinal cord neurons.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Horowitz M, Hall W: Central nervous system germinomas. Arch Neurol 48: 652-657, 1991

    Google Scholar 

  2. Balmaceda C: Chemotherapy for intramedullary spinal cord tumors. J Neuro-Oncol 47: 293-307, 2000

    Google Scholar 

  3. Ganslandt O, Buchfelder M, Grabenbauer G: Primary spinal germinoma in a patient with concomitant Klinefelter's syndrome. Br J Neurosurg 14: 252-255, 2000

    Google Scholar 

  4. Hisa S, Morinaga S, Kobayashi Y, Ojima M, Chikaoka H, Sasano N: Intramedullary spinal cord germinoma producing HCG and precocious puberty in a boy. Cancer 55: 2845-2849, 1985

    Google Scholar 

  5. Horvath L, McDowell D, Stevens G, Parkinson R, McCarthy S, Boyer M: Unusual presentation of germ cell tumors. J Clin Oncol 19: 911-915, 2001

    Google Scholar 

  6. Itoh Y, Mineura K, Sasajima H, Kowada M: Intramedullary spinal cord germinoma: case report and review of the literature. Neurosurg 38: 187-191, 1996

    Google Scholar 

  7. Kiyuna M, Toda T, Sadi A, Toyoda Z, Nakashima Y: Case report: a rare case of extramedullary spinal cord germinoma. Path Int 49: 633-637, 1999

    Google Scholar 

  8. Matsuoka S, Itoh M, Shinonome T, Tanimura A: Intramedullary spinal cord germinoma: case report. Surg Neurol 35: 122-126, 1991

    Google Scholar 

  9. Matsuyama Y, Nagasaka T, Mimatsu K, Inoue K, Mii K, Iwata H: Intramedullary spinal cord germinoma. Spine 20: 2338-2340, 1995

    Google Scholar 

  10. Miyauchi A, Matsumoto K, Kohmura E, Doi T, Hashimoto K, Kawano K: Primary intramedullary spinal cord germinoma: case report. J Neurosurg 84: 1060-1061, 1996

    Google Scholar 

  11. Nagasawa S, Kikuchi H, Yamashita J, Mitsuno K: Intracranial and spinal germinomas occuring four years after spinal cord germinoma. Neurol Med Chir (Tokyo) 31: 729-731, 1991

    Google Scholar 

  12. Slagel D, Goeken J, Platz C, Moore S: Primary germinoma of the spinal cord: a case report with 28-year follow-up and review of the literature. Acta Neuropathol 90: 657-659, 1995

    Google Scholar 

  13. Bjornsson J, Scheithauer BW, Okazaki H, Leech R: Intracranial germ cell tumors: pathobiological and immunohistochemical aspects of 70 cases. J Neuropath Exp Neurol 44: 32-46, 1985

    Google Scholar 

  14. Bamberg M, Kortmann R, Calaminus G, Becker G, Meisner C, Harms D, Göbel U: Radiation therapy for intracranial germinoma: results of the German cooperative prospective trials MAKEI 83/86/89. J Clin Oncol 17: 2585-2592, 1999

    Google Scholar 

  15. Haddock M, Schild S, Scheithauer BW, Schomberg P: Radiation therapy for histologically confirmed primary central nervous system germinoma. Int J Rad Oncol Biol Phys 38: 915-923, 1997

    Google Scholar 

  16. Shirato H, Nishio M, Sawamura Y, Myohjin M, Kitahara T, Nishioka T, Mizutani Y, Abe H, Miysaka K: Analysis of long-term treatment of intracranial germinoma. Int J Rad Oncol Biol Phys 37: 511-515, 1997

    Google Scholar 

  17. Wolden S, Wara W, Larson D, Prados M, Edwards M, Sneed P: Radiation therapy for primary intracranial germcell tumors. Int J Rad Oncol Biol Phys 32: 943-949, 1995

    Google Scholar 

  18. Aoyama H, Shirato H, Ikeda J, Fujieda K, Miyasaka K, Sawamura Y: Induction chemotherapy followed by lowdose involved-field radiotherapy for intracranial germ cell tumors. J Clin Oncol 20: 857-865, 2002

    Google Scholar 

  19. Hanafusa K, Shibuya H, Yamaura A, Suzuki S: Intramedullary spinal cord germinoma: case report and review of the literature. Fortschr Rontgenstr 159: 203-204, 1993

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Chute, D.J., Burton, E.C., Klement, I.A. et al. Primary Intramedullary Spinal Cord Germinoma: Case Report. J Neurooncol 63, 69–73 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023789806797

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023789806797

Navigation