Intracranial Germ Cell Tumors
摘要
Germ cell tumors (GCTs) are malignant neoplasm originating from the primordial germ cell at different stages of development. They may arise in gonads (testis and ovary) or extragonadal sites (intracranial, mediastinal, sacrococcygeal area). The extragonadal location of GCTs is explained by the presence of ectopic germline cells during the migration of primordial germ cells. The location of extragonadal GCTs is usually in the midline of the body. Intracranial GCTs (icGCTs) account for 3–5% of pediatric primary central nervous system tumors in Europe and North America and 11–15% in East Asia [1]. icGCTs show male preponderance, except in suprasellar germinomas, which are seen more frequently in females.