Bifocal intracranial germ cell tumor: A diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma for radiation oncologists

An eight-year-old child presenting with increased thirst, raised intracranial tension and visual deterioration was diagnosed with synchronous suprasellar and pineal lesions, for which she underwent partial resection of the suprasellar lesion. Histopathological examination suggested pure germinoma. Tumor marker evaluation showed significantly raised levels of beta human chorionic gonadotropin (beta HCG), favoring a non-germinoma germ cell tumor (NGGCT), leading to a diagnostic dilemma as the histology and beta HCG levels were contradictory. Giving cognizance to the tumor marker levels, the treatment was designed on the lines of NGGCT. Planning of radiotherapy including craniospinal irradiation (CSI) and boost to both lesions was once again a challenge, given the proximity of the lesions to vital organs at risk (OAR). Given the child's age and location of lesions, the target volumes and doses of radiation were designed to optimize between the goals of achieving long-term local control and minimizing late-onset toxicities.