A novel perspective on dissemination: somatic metastasis of germ cell tumors from the central nervous system

Abstract Purpose Primary germ cell tumors (GCTs) of the central nervous system are rare malignancies, with somatic metastasis being even less common. This study aims to propose a novel classification framework for dissemination patterns in CNS GCTs. Methods A group of 4 patients with somatic metasta...

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Main Authors: Shao-Pei Qi, Chuan Zhao, Jing-Jing Ge, Cheng Li, Feng-Jun Xue, Chi Zhao, Chen-Chen Kong, Hui-Jie Sun, Jing-Jing Zhang, Ya-Qi Zhang, Jun-Ping Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-06-01
Series:Discover Oncology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s12672-025-02467-6
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author Shao-Pei Qi
Chuan Zhao
Jing-Jing Ge
Cheng Li
Feng-Jun Xue
Chi Zhao
Chen-Chen Kong
Hui-Jie Sun
Jing-Jing Zhang
Ya-Qi Zhang
Jun-Ping Zhang
author_facet Shao-Pei Qi
Chuan Zhao
Jing-Jing Ge
Cheng Li
Feng-Jun Xue
Chi Zhao
Chen-Chen Kong
Hui-Jie Sun
Jing-Jing Zhang
Ya-Qi Zhang
Jun-Ping Zhang
author_sort Shao-Pei Qi
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Purpose Primary germ cell tumors (GCTs) of the central nervous system are rare malignancies, with somatic metastasis being even less common. This study aims to propose a novel classification framework for dissemination patterns in CNS GCTs. Methods A group of 4 patients with somatic metastasis were identified among 284 germ cell tumors. The characteristics of patients were identified through clinical history, imaging, and histopathology. Hematoxylin–eosin (H&E) and Immunohistochemistry (IHC) confirmed the pathological features, while radiology was used to determine the temporal and spatial characteristics of metastasis. Univariate analysis was conducted to assess the factors contributing to abdominal spread. Fisher’s exact test was used for categorical data analysis. The dissemination process was systematically analyzed. Results This disease is extremely rare, and the progression of metastatic germ cell tumors is often complex. All four patients underwent surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. In one case, the tumor spread to the anterior superior mediastinum via hematogenous metastasis; in two cases, it spread to the abdominal cavity through a ventriculoperitoneal shunt; and in one case, intraspinal spread occurred via cerebrospinal fluid. Over a follow-up period of 9 to 67 months, only one patient died from the disease. H&E and IHC staining confirmed pathological features. Analyzing dissemination introduced concepts like dynamics, components, mediums, ranges, portals, and patterns, creating a framework for understanding disease spread. Conclusion Our findings offer valuable insights for guiding treatment strategies and improving patient outcomes. CNS GCTs can be managed effectively with accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. The introduction of new concepts and classifications of dissemination can inform and guide treatment strategies.
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spelling doaj-art-5a49391ce9ad4d2fba6370d4e1cb99022025-08-20T03:47:13ZengSpringerDiscover Oncology2730-60112025-06-0116111410.1007/s12672-025-02467-6A novel perspective on dissemination: somatic metastasis of germ cell tumors from the central nervous systemShao-Pei Qi0Chuan Zhao1Jing-Jing Ge2Cheng Li3Feng-Jun Xue4Chi Zhao5Chen-Chen Kong6Hui-Jie Sun7Jing-Jing Zhang8Ya-Qi Zhang9Jun-Ping Zhang10Department of Neurosurgery, Sanbo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical UniversityDepartment of Neurosurgery, Sanbo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical UniversityDepartment of Neuro-Oncology, Sanbo Brain Hospital,Capital Medical UniversityDepartment of Neuro-Oncology, Sanbo Brain Hospital,Capital Medical UniversityDepartment of Neurosurgery, Sanbo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical UniversityDepartment of Neuro-Oncology, Sanbo Brain Hospital,Capital Medical UniversityDepartment of Neuro-Oncology, Sanbo Brain Hospital,Capital Medical UniversityDepartment of Neuro-Oncology, Henan Sanbo Brain HospitalDepartment of Neuro-Oncology, Henan Sanbo Brain HospitalDepartment of Neuro-Oncology, Henan Sanbo Brain HospitalDepartment of Neurosurgery, Sanbo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical UniversityAbstract Purpose Primary germ cell tumors (GCTs) of the central nervous system are rare malignancies, with somatic metastasis being even less common. This study aims to propose a novel classification framework for dissemination patterns in CNS GCTs. Methods A group of 4 patients with somatic metastasis were identified among 284 germ cell tumors. The characteristics of patients were identified through clinical history, imaging, and histopathology. Hematoxylin–eosin (H&E) and Immunohistochemistry (IHC) confirmed the pathological features, while radiology was used to determine the temporal and spatial characteristics of metastasis. Univariate analysis was conducted to assess the factors contributing to abdominal spread. Fisher’s exact test was used for categorical data analysis. The dissemination process was systematically analyzed. Results This disease is extremely rare, and the progression of metastatic germ cell tumors is often complex. All four patients underwent surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. In one case, the tumor spread to the anterior superior mediastinum via hematogenous metastasis; in two cases, it spread to the abdominal cavity through a ventriculoperitoneal shunt; and in one case, intraspinal spread occurred via cerebrospinal fluid. Over a follow-up period of 9 to 67 months, only one patient died from the disease. H&E and IHC staining confirmed pathological features. Analyzing dissemination introduced concepts like dynamics, components, mediums, ranges, portals, and patterns, creating a framework for understanding disease spread. Conclusion Our findings offer valuable insights for guiding treatment strategies and improving patient outcomes. CNS GCTs can be managed effectively with accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. The introduction of new concepts and classifications of dissemination can inform and guide treatment strategies.https://doi.org/10.1007/s12672-025-02467-6DisseminationSomatic metastasisGerm cell tumorTreatment
spellingShingle Shao-Pei Qi
Chuan Zhao
Jing-Jing Ge
Cheng Li
Feng-Jun Xue
Chi Zhao
Chen-Chen Kong
Hui-Jie Sun
Jing-Jing Zhang
Ya-Qi Zhang
Jun-Ping Zhang
A novel perspective on dissemination: somatic metastasis of germ cell tumors from the central nervous system
Discover Oncology
Dissemination
Somatic metastasis
Germ cell tumor
Treatment
title A novel perspective on dissemination: somatic metastasis of germ cell tumors from the central nervous system
title_full A novel perspective on dissemination: somatic metastasis of germ cell tumors from the central nervous system
title_fullStr A novel perspective on dissemination: somatic metastasis of germ cell tumors from the central nervous system
title_full_unstemmed A novel perspective on dissemination: somatic metastasis of germ cell tumors from the central nervous system
title_short A novel perspective on dissemination: somatic metastasis of germ cell tumors from the central nervous system
title_sort novel perspective on dissemination somatic metastasis of germ cell tumors from the central nervous system
topic Dissemination
Somatic metastasis
Germ cell tumor
Treatment
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s12672-025-02467-6
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