Primary intracranial germ-cell tumors

Fourteen cases of primary intracranial germ-cell tumors are presented. Histologically, there were eight germinomas, three teratomas, and three germ-cell tumors of more than one histological type. Immunohistochemical studies revealed alpha-fetoprotein in yolk-sac tumor components in two cases and beta human choriogonadotropin in syncytiotrophoblastic giant cells in one case. One teratoma contained an unusual pleomorphic sarcomatous portion with features of early myoblastic differentiation. Comparison of intracranial with gonadal germ-cell tumors shows that the same subtypes are found in both locations with comparable incidence and similar biological behavior. The detailed World Health Organization classification of testicular germ-cell tumors should be applied to the histopathological classification of intracranial germ-cell tumors. Despite the critical location of intracranial germ-cell tumors, a good outcome can be achieved by optimal surgical excision. A primary microsurgical approach provides a histopathological diagnosis, which is indispensable for the proper choice of postoperative management.