SURVIVAL AND QUALITY-OF-LIFE OF PEDIATRIC INTRACRANIAL GERM-CELL TUMOR PATIENTS TREATED AT THE CHRISTIE HOSPITAL, 1972-1993

From 1972 to 1993, 25 patients under 16 years old were treated at the Christie Hospital for intracranial germ cell tumours (ICGCTs). A retro spective analysis of the case notes was undertaken. The cases comprise d 10 germinomas, nine non-germinomatous germ cell tumours (NCGCTs), an d six cases with no histology. Ten patients had either complete or inc omplete removal of the tumour. All patients received radiotherapy (20 patients received craniospinal irradiation [CSI]). Thirteen patients r eceived chemotherapy at presentation (six platinum-based). All marker- negative pure germinomas treated with CSI survived. The actuarial 5-ye ar survival for NGGCTs was 44%. Although CSI resulted in spine shorten ing, the overall effect on growth was not marked and the neuropsycholo gic sequelae were minimal with good overall functional results. (C) 19 95 Wiley-Liss, Inc.