[A successfully operated case of choriocarcinoma with recurrent intratumoral hemorrhage].

A 12-year-old boy with primary intracranial choriocarcinoma of the pineal region suffered from repeated intratumoral hemorrhage over a short period. Neuroradiological images demonstrated a pineal-region tumor with intratumoral hemorrhage and obstructive hydrocephalus. HCG-beta subunit concentration of his serum and cerebrospinal fluid was abnormally high. After the 24.2Gy irradiation, the tumor was removed almost totally. After the operation, we treated him with additional radiation and chemotherapy using ifosfamide, cisplatin, and etoposide (namely ICE therapy). No recurrence or metastasis has been noted, and he was in good condition during the 22 months since the operation. At present he receives maintenance ICE therapy every 3 months. Choriocarcinoma involves a high possibility of intratumoral fatal hemorrhage, so a radical operation is recommended as soon as possible.