Frontiers in Endocrinology (Nov 2021)

Basal Ganglia Germ Cell Tumors With or Without Sellar Involvement: A Long-Term Follow-Up in a Single Medical Center and a Systematic Literature Review

  • Yi Zhang,
  • Li Wang,
  • Wenbin Ma,
  • Hui Pan,
  • Renzhi Wang,
  • Huijuan Zhu,
  • Yong Yao

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2021.763609
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12

Abstract

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BackgroundBasal ganglia germ cell tumors (BGGCTs) represent an extremely rare subset of tumors about which little is known. Some patients suffer from tumor dissemination, such as sellar involvement. This study aimed to evaluate the independent prognostic risk factors of patients with BGGCTs with or without sellar involvement.MethodsSixteen patients were diagnosed with BGGCTs at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2000 to December 2020. A literature review was performed on the online databases Medline and PubMed, and 76 cases in the 19 retrieved articles were identified at the same time. The data regarding biochemical tests, radiological examinations, and outcomes during follow-up were analyzed.ResultsOf 92 patients in this study, seven patients were clinically diagnosed as germinomas, with the remaining 85 patients receiving surgery. Fifty-two patients suffered from multifocal lesions or tumor dissemination. The patients with BGGCTs demonstrated a significant male predilection. The patients with delayed diagnosis more likely had cognitive disturbance (p = 0.028), mental disturbance (p = 0.047), and diabetes insipidus (p = 0.02). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the independent poor prognostic risk factors of patients with BGGCTs were delayed diagnosis [odd ratio (OR) 2.33; 95% CI 1.02–5.31], focal radiotherapy (OR 4.00; 95% CI 1.69–9.49), and non-pure germinoma (OR 4.64; 95% CI 1.76–12.22).ConclusionsThe delayed diagnosis, focal radiotherapy, and non-pure germinoma were associated with a poorer prognosis for patients with BGGCTs with or without sellar involvement.

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