Acute myeloid leukemia following a primary mediastinal germ cell tumor

Abstract

Introduction There is a known association between primary mediastinal germ cell tumor (PMGCT) and hematologic malignancy that is not linked to treatment. They are exceptionally rare entities with a low morbidity and a poor prognosis. Case presentation An 11‐year‐old boy presented with an anterior mediastinal mass diagnosed as a malignant germ cell tumor on the basis of an excisional biopsy. He was found to have acute myeloid leukemia (AML) two years after the chemotherapy for his germ cell tumor. The clinical course was very aggressive with a survival time of only 1 week after diagnosis of AML associated with PMGCT. Conclusion AML associated with PMGCT needs to be diagnosed correctly. Relevant examinations should be carried out in patients with PMGCTs during and after chemotherapy, and long‐term follow‐up is still necessary to reduce the risk of morbidity and mortality.

Concurrent primary mediastinal germ cell tumor and acute myeloid leukemia: Case report of sustained remission and review of the literature

“…15,16 Both AFP and beta-hCG normalized fol- A literature search identified 14 case reports of PMGCT and AML with available cytogenetic analyses (Table 1). 9,[17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29] Of the cases, five were concurrently diagnosed, defined as simultaneous presentation or within 2 weeks of initial diagnosis. Two cases achieved sustained remission, and one case is receiving ongoing therapy.…”