Mediastinal germ cell tumors in childhood.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Mediastinal germ cell tumors (GCTs) are rare and usually located in anterior mediastinum. We aimed to review clinical and pathological characteristics of these tumors.

PROCEDURE:

Between 1973 and 2011, 24 children with mediastinal GCTs were diagnosed. Hospital files were reviewed for presenting complaints, clinical, radiological and other laboratory data, surgical practices, treatments, and outcomes.

RESULTS:

Median age was 4.5 years (0.2-16) (male/female: 10/14). Most common initial complaints were dyspnea, cough, anorexia/fatigue, fever, and chest pain. Primary tumors were located in anterior mediastinum (n = 22), posterior mediastinum (n = 1), and sternum (n = 1). Thirteen of 24 cases had mature teratomas (54.2%); four (16.7%) endodermal sinus tumor (EST); four (16.7%) immature teratomas; and one (4.2%) each of embryonal carcinoma, teratocarcinoma, and malignant teratoma. Mature teratomas underwent only surgical resection and were under follow-up without disease. Four cases with ESTs received chemotherapy and radiotherapy (n = 3), three underwent surgical resections: three died, one was followed for 284 months in remission. All but one immature teratomas were treated with surgery and all were under follow-up without disease. Two patients with embryonal carcinoma and malignant teratoma didn't undergo surgery; both received chemotherapy and radiotherapy but died with disease. The patient with teratocarcinoma was treated with surgery and chemotherapy but died with disease.

CONCLUSIONS:

No adjuvant therapy is needed for mature teratomas. Immature teratomas must be under close follow-up for recurrences. Prognosis for mediastinal malignant GCTs was poor. These cases need intensive chemotherapies and effective local control measures as surgery -/+ radiotherapy to ensure long-term survival.

• Authors: Bilgehan Yalçın, Hacı Ahmet Demir, Feridun Cahit Tanyel, Zühal Akçören, Ali Varan, Canan Akyüz, Tezer Kutluk, Münevver Büyükpamukçu
• Journal: Pediatric hematology and oncology (Pediatr Hematol Oncol) Vol. 29 Issue 7 Pg. 633-42 (Oct 2012) ISSN: 1521-0669 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 22877235 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Adolescent
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Infant
• Male
• Mediastinal Neoplasms (diagnosis, therapy)
• Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal (diagnosis, therapy)
• Prognosis
• Remission Induction
• Retrospective Studies
• Treatment Outcome