ESPE Abstracts

Backgrounds: Intracranial germinomas (GN) are rare cancers that primarily affect children which accounts for 3.8% of primary brain tumors in children and adolescents. Germinomas located in the suprasellar region can be manifested by: excessive thirst and urination, early puberty, delayed growth or sometimes the only symptom is Fatigue or altered sleep patterns – making the diagnosis difficult to be reached.

Case: We present a case of 15-year-old girl with no past history disease who admitted to our hospital for the reason of primary. For the past 3 years, patient has lost weight and had poor appetite, insomnia. She was checked several times by family doctors without any causes detected. Now her mother was worried about her menstruation which doesn’t appear at this age. On examination, short stature and primary amenorrhea were detected. Laboratory tests revealed high VS, hyperprolactinemia, hypopituitarism. Brain MRI was done with the result: “Masses occupying space in the suprasellar space, the floor of the third ventricle, the pineal gland, and the lower part of the fourth ventricle near the median aperture, suggest germinoma”. Endocine Hormone replacement were added and plans were done to confirm diagnosis and treatment therapy. However, the patient decided to return to America to continue treatment. We lost trace of this patient.

Conclusion: Intracranial germinomas can be presented by varieties of symptoms, so each doctor, especially family doctor and pediatric endocrinology doctor should be cautious with some unclear symptoms like loss of appetite, insomnia or amenorrhea so that the underlying etiology can be soon detected and managed