Isolated central nervous system relapse of non-seminomatous germ cell tumour of the testis - A case report and review of the literature

Isolated central nervous system (CNS) relapse of nonseminomatous germ cell tumour (NSGCT) of the testis has been reported in only 12 patients previous ly. We report a patient with an: isolated CNS relapse of NSGCT, following a prior systemic relapse. From a review of previous cases, isolated CNS rela pse appears to be more common in patients with embryonal cell histology (al one or mixed with other elements) and occurred after a median of 8.5 months following initial presentation. Long-term survival appears possible using multi-modal treatment with whole-brain radiotherapy, surgery and/or chemoth erapy. However, the optimal treatment of isolated CNS relapse remains undef ined. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.