Radiological pseudoprogression post-radiotherapy in a child with pineal germ cell tumour

Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2020 Jul;67(7):e28407. doi: 10.1002/pbc.28407. Epub 2020 May 19.

Abstract

Little is known about pseudoprogression in brain tumours other than gliomas. A 9-year-old male child with a pineal teratoma/germinoma underwent surgical resection followed by adjuvant chemo-radiotherapy. The magnetic resonance imaging scan 4 months post-radiotherapy showed a contrast-enhancing lesion within the surgical cavity suspicious of recurrence. These radiological findings subsequently resolved without any specific intervention. The child continues in remission 2 years post-treatment. This case illustrates the occurrence of pseudoprogression post-radiotherapy in intracranial GCT and highlights an unmet need for greater implementation of functional imaging techniques in paediatric neuro-oncology to avoid undue discontinuation of effective treatments or inappropriate enrolment in clinical trials.

Keywords: germ cell tumour; germinoma; intracranial; paediatric; pineal; pseudoprogression; teratoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Disease Progression
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Male
  • Molecular Imaging / methods*
  • Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / diagnostic imaging
  • Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / pathology*
  • Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / radiotherapy
  • Pinealoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Pinealoma / pathology*
  • Pinealoma / radiotherapy
  • Prognosis
  • Radiotherapy, Adjuvant / methods*
  • Teratoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Teratoma / pathology*
  • Teratoma / radiotherapy

Supplementary concepts

  • Pineal Teratoma