Mixed Germ Cell Tumor with a Yolk Sac Tumor Component in the Medulla Oblongata of a 50-year-old Patient: A Case Report and Literature Review

• Published in: Internal Medicine Vol. 62; no. 6; pp. 915 - 921
• Main Authors: Isaji, Taiki, Iwami, Kenichiro, Ato, Fuminori, Watanabe, Tadashi, Takahashi, Emiko, Miyachi, Shigeru
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan The Japanese Society of Internal Medicine 15-03-2023; Japan Science and Technology Agency
• Subjects: Adult; Brain tumors; Case Report; Case reports; Endodermal Sinus Tumor - diagnosis; Endodermal Sinus Tumor - pathology; Female; germ cell tumor; Growth patterns; Humans; Internal medicine; Literature reviews; Medulla oblongata; Medulla Oblongata - diagnostic imaging; Medulla Oblongata - pathology; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal - diagnostic imaging; Pineal gland; Skull; Yolk sac; yolk sac tumor; yolk sac tumor; germ cell tumor; medulla oblongata
• ISSN: 0918-2918; 1349-7235
• DOI: 10.2169/internalmedicine.9447-22

Yolk sac tumor (YST) is a rare primary brain tumor that occurs almost exclusively in patients under 30 years old. Intracranial germ cell tumors are most frequently located in the pineal and suprasellar region. Medulla oblongata YSTs are particularly rare. Extragonadal YSTs may be difficult to diagnose because of their characteristics, such as the rarity and variety of growth patterns. Furthermore, they are known to have a very poor prognosis. We herein report a case of YST of the medulla oblongata in a 50-year-old woman. She was followed up for 18 months without any tumor recurrence.