What's growing on? The growing teratoma syndrome.

Denaro, Luca; Pluchinotta, Francesca; Faggin, Roberto; Manara, Renzo; Calderone, Milena; Viscardi, Elisabetta; Gardiman, Marina; Rossetto, Marta et al. · Acta Neurochir (Wien) · 2010

case_report · Level V

Where this comes from

Abstract

The growing teratoma syndrome (GTS) consists of a mature teratoma paradoxically enlarging during or after chemotherapy for malignant nongerminomatous germ cell tumors. We report two cases of GTS occurring in association with NSGCT of the pineal gland. Although an unusual event, clinicians and radiologists should be aware of its natural history. When normalized tumor markers after chemotherapy are associated with imaging features of a growing mass, the hypothesis of GTS must be taken in consideration. When early diagnosed, GTS can be managed surgically with good results.

Medical subject headings