Primary Intracranial Germ Cell Tumors: A Single-Centre Experience

Background: Primary intracranial germ cell tumors are rare (PICGCTs) tumors that share histological features with gonadal GCTs and usually present diagnostic difficulties. The aim of this study is to present pathological and radiological findings of PICGCTs diagnosed at a tertiary medical centre in the western region of Saudi Arabia along with review of recent literature. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the pathological and clinical data of patients diagnosed with PICGCTs in King Faisal specialist hospital and research centre (January 2001 to December 2012). Results: Eight cases were diagnosed as PICGCTs. Seven cases were males in their pediatric age group with a mean age of 11.11 years. The overall mean age was 12.39 years. Three cases were located in the pineal region 37.5 % (3), two were located in the mid brain 25% (2) and one each (12.5%) was located in posterior fossa, hypothalamus and suprasellar region. On histological examination 50% (4) were purely germinomas, followed by 25% (2) mixed germ cell tumors (MGCTs) and 25% (2) immature teratomas (IT). Conclusion: PICGCTs are rare tumors affecting mainly adolescent males more than females with their added site predilection for the pineal region. Pure germinoma is the most common pathological type.