Clinical Analysis of 29 Cases of Germ Cell Tumor in Children

ABSTRACT

Germ cell tumors(GCT) are not infrequently encounted tumor in pediartic age group. In order to study the clinical behaviors of the disease, we reviewed 29 cases of GCT diagnosed and treated at Kosin Medical Center in the period of 7 years form Jan. 1984 to Dec. 1991 and the results are summarized as follows 1) The age distribution is the highest between 10 and 15 years(45%) and girls have 1.9 times higher frequency than that of boys. 2) The most frequent primary site of GCT was ovary(15). The next common primary site was testis(5), pineal body(4), sacrococcygeal region(2), retroperitoneum(1), soft palate(1), anterior mediastinum(1) in descending order of frequency. 3) In the pathological analysis of tumors, the most frequent type was mature teratoma(12). The next common type was endodermal sinus tumor(6), immature teratoma(5), dysgerminoma(3), mixed type(2), and choriocarcinoma(1)in descending order of frequency. 4) All the 5 cases of EST have elevated serum levels of alpha-fetoprotein. Two of the three dysgerminoma, one of the two mixed type tumors both of which have germinoma components, and one choriocarcinoma have elevated serum levels of beta-HCG above the age related physiological levels. 5) Among 17 cases of malignant GCT, 9 cases have metastatic areas such as regional lymph nodes, scrotum, pleura, retroperitoneum, omentum and lumbar spine. 6) All except on case of immature teratoma in the anterior mediastinum underwent surgery. Chemotherapy was given to 12 of 17 malignant GCT and radiotherapy was given to 4 of 17 malignant GCT. 7) Among the 4 expired cases within 12 months of follow up, three were originated from pineal body, which had been underwent simple V-P shunt or incomplete resection, and one case was metastatic immature teratoma of anterior mediastinum to the pleura which had not been undergone surgery. Finally, in review of literature and or cases, the survival of properly managed GCT except some of those difficult surgical access is relatively good. To continue the survival of children of GCT to be impoved, we should use all the treatment modalit properly with more positive outlook about the disease.