Primary yolk sac tumor of the cerebellar vermis: A case report

Abstract

Extragonadal germ cell tumors are rare and comprise 2-5% of all germ cell tumors. Seminoma/dysgerminoma, teratoma, yolk sac tumor (YST) and mixed germ cell tumors are few of the extragonadal germ cell tumors arising within the brain. Of these, primary pure YSTs arising in the brain are extremely rare and arise in the pineal (62%) and suprasellar (31%) regions. Primary YST occurring in the cerebellum is exceedingly rare, associated with a very poor prognosis and has been reported in less than 10 cases in literature. We herein report a case of primary pure yolk sac tumor in the cerebellar vermis in a 2-year-old child.

Multidisciplinary treatment of primary intracranial yolk sac tumor

“…Serum AFP level is a common indicator for evaluating the treatment response to YSTs. [7] Studies have shown that serum AFP >1000 ng/mL at the time of diagnosis is a risk factor for subsequent [10] M 23 Pineal region No Yes No NR 2017 [11] M 17 Hypothalamic and Pineal region Yes Yes Yes Alive 2014 [12] M 2 Cerebellar vermis Yes Yes No NR 2014 [13] F 45…”

Radiographic occult cerebellar germinoma presenting with progressive ataxia and cranial nerve palsy

“…Germinomas typically arise in regions adjacent to the third ventricle, such as the pineal body and neurohypophysis, but they may be present also in the basal ganglia. Germinomas originating in the cerebellum are quite rare [ 5 – 11 ] (see Additional file 2 : Table S1); in one study, only three of 153 intracranial GCTs were located in the cerebellum [ 12 ]. It is not difficult to diagnose intracranial GCTs when they have a typical location and radiographic features.…”