An experience of stereotactic radiation therapy for primary intracranial choriocarcinoma

We report on a patient with choriocarcinoma in the pineal region who was su ccessfully treated with stereotactic radiation therapy (SRT). The increased level of serum human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) was lowered during chemo therapy with etoposide, cisplatin, and ifosfamide. However, HCG was not nor malized and magnetic resonance images still showed an enhanced tumor mass w ith gadolinium. The patient underwent SRT of 40 Gy at an 80% isodose line p er 10 fractions over two weeks, followed by conventional craniospinal irrad iation of 32.4 Gy, The level of HCG dropped below the detection limit. The patient has been in good condition for more than four years after the compl etion of treatment, without any signs of recurrence. We propose SRT as a va lid treatment option for malignant germ cell tumors in the pineal region.