Treatment of a primary intracranial germ cell tumor with systemic chemotherapy

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1981 · Med. Pediatr. Oncol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/mpo.2950090408· OSTI ID:5308111

Kirshner, J J; Ginsberg, S J; Fitzpatrick, A V; Comis, R L

Primary germ cell neoplasms of the central nervous system (CNS) are rare tumors which generally respond to radiotherapy. Experience is limited in managing the refractory patient. We report a patient whose suprasellar dysgerminoma responded completely to 5,000 rad. Seven years later, disease recurrence was refractory to an additional 4,000 rad. Theorizing that the ''blood-brain barrier'' was no longer intact after extensive radiotherapy and tumor involvement of the ventricular system, the patient was treated with systemic bleomycin, cisplatin, and vinblastine. Pharmacokinetic studies revealed that the bleomycin and cisplatin entered the cerebrospinal fluid. Serial CT scans and CSF levels of beta-HCG confirmed the clinical impression of a partial remission. Subsequent tumor progression was refractory to therapy with intraventricular bleomycin. It is concluded that systemic chemotherapy may be beneficial in certain cases of CNS germ cell neoplasms.

• OSTI ID: 5308111
• Journal Information: Med. Pediatr. Oncol.; (United States), Journal Name: Med. Pediatr. Oncol.; (United States) Vol. 9:4; ISSN MPOND
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550603* -- Medicine-- External Radiation in Therapy-- (1980-)
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ANTINEOPLASTIC DRUGS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BLOOD-BRAIN BARRIER
BODY FLUIDS
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
CEREBROSPINAL FLUID
CHEMOTHERAPY
DISEASES
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
DOSES
DRUGS
GERM CELLS
MATERIALS
MEDICINE
NEOPLASMS
NERVOUS SYSTEM
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
PATIENTS
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOLOGY
RADIOTHERAPY
THERAPY