[Intracranial germinoma in children].

Two cases of intracranial germinoma with different clinical expression, are described. The clinical symptomatology, the diagnosis and the treatment of this tumor are discussed. The symptoms depend on the localization of the tumor: in the suprasellar germinoma endocrinologic manifestations prevail while the symptoms in germinomas which are located in the pineal region, are mainly due to increased intracranial pressure. The diagnosis is suggested by the findings on CT-scan and MRI of the brain, but for the definitive diagnosis, pathologic examination of the tumor remains necessary. Blood HCG and alpha-fetoprotein are useful markers for follow-up; the value of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) as a marker, is still unclear. The ideal treatment of germinoma consists of surgical removal, postoperative chemotherapy and, afterwards, local radiotherapy. On the whole, the prognosis of this tumor is good.