[Multiple liver metastases of a suprasellar germ cell tumor treated with combined chemotherapy of cisplatin and etoposide].

A 23-year-old man was admitted with progressively disturbed vision and easy fatigability. CT scans demonstrated an enhanced mass in the sellar region. Physical and endocrinological examinations revealed atrophy of both optic nerves, temporal field cuts in both eyes, and panhypopituitarism. Concentrations of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid were 12 and 33IU/L, respectively. On November 11, 1987, the tumor was partially removed using the transsphenoidal approach. The histological diagnosis was germinoma with syncytiotrophoblastic giant cells. Following postoperative craniospinal irradiation (whole brain, 30Gy; local, 18Gy; spinal canal 28Gy), CT scans showed no residual tumor and the HCG levels decreased until they were undetectable. Eighteen months later, the patient complained of abdominal pain. His serum HCG level had increased to 2,554 IU/L. CT scans of the abdomen revealed multiple low density areas in the liver. Chest X-ray was negative. A Ga scintigram disclosed only liver metastasis. Administration of a chemotherapy was started on June 26, 1989. Cisplatin and etoposide in doses of 20mg and 40mg respectively were given for 5 consecutive days in one course. Following four courses of the combined chemotherapy, the tumor entirely disappeared on CT scans and the HCG level returned to normal. The patient is now able to work well without evidence of recurrence. Multiple liver metastases of an intracranial germ cell tumor had been fatal in previous reports. This may be the first case with liver metastases in which the victim is still alive. The present case indicates that combined chemotherapy with cisplatin and etoposide is effective for extraneural metastases of an intracranial germ cell tumor.