Survival and quality of life of paediatric intracranial germ cell tumour patients treated at the Christie Hospital, 1972-1993.

Abstract

From 1972 to 1993, 25 patients under 16 years old were treated at the Christie Hospital for intracranial germ cell tumours (ICGCTs). A retrospective analysis of the case notes was undertaken. The cases comprised 10 germinomas, nine non-germinomatous germ cell tumours (NGGCTs), and six cases with no histology. Ten patients had either complete or incomplete removal of the tumour. All patients received radiotherapy (20 patients received craniospinal irradiation [CSI]). Thirteen patients received chemotherapy at presentation (six platinum-based). All marker-negative pure germinomas treated with CSI survived. The actuarial 5-year survival for NGGCTs was 44%. Although CSI resulted in spine shortening, the overall effect on growth was not marked and the neuropsychologic sequelae were minimal with good overall functional results.