Primary intracranial embryonal carcinoma in children: report of two cases with review of the literature.

Embryonal carcinoma is a rare malignant brain tumor and stands for 5% of all intracranial germ cell tumors. Embryonal carcinoma occurs mainly in the posterior third ventricle and pineal region area. Preoperative imaging examination, blood serum and cerebrospinal fluid level of AFP and HCG can support the diagnosis. Subtotal to total removal with good preservation of the important structures can be achieved in this tumor resection. Embryonal carcinoma has poor prognosis result. Postoperative radiotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy may increase the survival rate, but due to the malignant characteristics of the tumor the 5 years survival rate remains low. We presented two cases of embryonal carcinoma in children. Subtotal resection was achieved in these two patients; patient who had had postoperative radiotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy had longer survival time than patient who had had surgery alone.