sábado, 6 de octubre de 2012

Childhood Central Nervous System Germ Cell Tumors Treatment (PDQ - National Cancer Institute

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Childhood Central Nervous System Germ Cell Tumors Treatment (PDQ - National Cancer Institute
Childhood Central Nervous System Germ Cell Tumors Treatment (PDQ - National Cancer Institute

National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health

General Information About Childhood Central Nervous System Germ Cell Tumors



Childhood central nervous system (CNS) germ cell tumors form from germ cells.
This summary is about germ cell tumors that start in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). Germ cell tumors may also form in other parts of the body. See the PDQ summary on Childhood Extracranial Germ Cell Tumors Treatment for information on germ cell tumors that are extracranial (outside the brain).
The most common place for one or more central nervous system (CNS) germ cell tumors to form is near the pineal gland and in an area that includes the pituitary gland and the tissue just above it. Sometimes germ cell tumors may form in other areas of the brain.
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Drawing of the inside of the brain showing ventricles (fluid-filled spaces), choroid plexus, hypothalamus, pineal gland, pituitary gland, optic nerve, brain stem, cerebellum, cerebrum, medulla, pons, and spinal cord.
Anatomy of the inside of the brain, showing the pineal and pituitary glands, optic nerve, ventricles (with cerebrospinal fluid shown in blue), and other parts of the brain.
CNS germ cell tumors can occur in both children and adults; treatment for children may be different than treatment for adults. See the following PDQ summaries for more information:
Childhood CNS germ cell tumors are grouped into germinomas, teratomas, and nongerminomas.
CNS germ cell tumors are usually grouped based on what the cells look like under a microscope. This summary is about the treatment of CNS germ cell tumors in the following groups:
Germinomas
Germinomas are the most common type of CNS germ cell tumor and have a good prognosis.
Teratomas
CNS teratomas may contain different kinds of cells that can grow into tissues, such as hair, muscle, and bone, within the tumor. Teratomas are described as mature or immature, based on how normal the cells look under a microscope. Teratomas are sometimes a mix of mature and immature cells.
Nongerminomas
Some nongerminomas make hormones. The following kinds of tumors are nongerminomas:
The cause of most childhood CNS germ cell tumors is not known.
Possible signs of childhood CNS germ cell tumors include unusual thirst, frequent urination, early puberty, or vision changes.
These and other symptoms may be caused by childhood CNS germ cell tumors. The symptoms may be different depending on where the tumor is, the size of the tumor, and whether the tumor makes hormones. Talk to your doctor if you have any of the following problems:
  • Being very thirsty.
  • Making large amounts of clear or almost clear urine.
  • Frequent urination.
  • Bed wetting or getting up at night to urinate.
  • Problems moving eyes or loss of vision.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Weight loss for no known reason.
  • Early or late puberty.
  • Short stature (being shorter than normal).
  • Headaches.
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • Fatigue.
  • Doing poorly in school.
Other conditions may cause the same symptoms.
Imaging studies and tests are used to detect (find) and diagnose childhood central nervous system germ cell tumors.
The following tests and procedures may be used:
  • Physical exam and history: An exam of the body to check general signs of health, including checking for signs of disease, such as lumps or anything else that seems unusual. A history of the patient's health habits and past illnesses and treatments will also be taken.
  • Neurological exam: A series of questions and tests to check the brain, spinal cord, and nerve function. The exam checks a person’s mental status, coordination, and ability to walk normally, and how well the muscles, senses, and reflexes work. This may also be called a neuro exam or a neurologic exam.
  • Visual field exam: An exam to check a person’s field of vision (the total area in which objects can be seen). This test measures both central vision (how much a person can see when looking straight ahead) and peripheral vision (how much a person can see in all other directions while staring straight ahead). The eyes are tested one at a time. The eye not being tested is covered.
  • MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) with gadolinium: A procedure that uses a magnet, radio waves, and a computer to make a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the brain and spinal cord. A substance called gadolinium is injected into a vein. The gadolinium collects around the cancer cells so they show up brighter in the picture. This procedure is also called nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI).
  • CT scan (CAT scan): A procedure that makes a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body, such as the head, taken from different angles. The pictures are made by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. A dye may be injected into a vein or swallowed to help the organs or tissues show up more clearly. This procedure is also called computed tomography, computerized tomography, or computerized axial tomography.
  • Tumor marker tests: A procedure in which a sample of blood or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is checked to measure the amounts of certain substances released into the blood and CSF by organs, tissues, or tumor cells in the body. Certain substances are linked to specific types of cancer when found in increased levels in the blood. These are called tumor markers. The following tumor markers are used to diagnose some CNS germ cell tumors:
    • Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP).
    • Beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG).
    If there are no tumor markers in the blood or CSF, a biopsy of the tumor is done.
  • Biopsy: The removal of cells or tissues so they can be viewed under a microscope by a pathologist to check for signs of cancer. In some cases, the tumor is removed during surgery and a biopsy may be done.
  • Immunohistochemistry study: A laboratory test in which a substance such as an antibody, dye, or radioisotope is added to a sample of cancer tissue to test for certain antigens. This type of study is used to tell the difference between different types of cancer.
  • Lumbar puncture: A procedure used to collect cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the spinal column. This is done by placing a needle into the spinal column. A sample of CSF is viewed under a microscope by a pathologist to check for signs of tumor cells. This procedure is also called an LP or spinal tap.
  • Blood chemistry studies: A procedure in which a blood sample is checked to measure the amounts of certain substances released into the blood by organs and tissues in the body. An unusual (higher- or lower-than-normal) amount of a substance can be a sign of disease in the organ or tissue that makes it.
  • Blood hormone studies: A procedure in which a blood sample is checked to measure the amounts of certain hormones released into the blood by organs and tissues in the body. An unusual (higher- or lower-than-normal) amount of a substance can be a sign of disease in the organ or tissue that makes it. The blood will be checked for the levels of hormones made by the pituitary gland and other glands.
Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.
The prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options depend on the following:
  • The type of germ cell tumor.
  • The level of tumor marker.
  • Where the tumor is in the brain or spinal cord.
  • Whether the cancer has spread within the brain and spinal cord or to other parts of the body.
  • Whether the tumor is newly diagnosed or has recurred (come back) after treatment.

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