Review articlePineal germ cell tumors: Two cases with review of histopathologies and biomarkers

- Germinomas rarely demonstrate serum and CSF AFP elevation.
- Teratomas consistently express cytokeratin.
- Embryonal carcinomas display variable serum and CSF AFP and hCG expression.
- Yolk sac tumors have been linked to elevated serum and CSF AFP.
- Choriocarcinomas often display serum CSF hCG elevations.

Pineal germ cell tumors (GCTs) are primarily seen in pediatric and Asian populations. These tumors are divided into germinomatous and non-germinomatous GCTs (NGGCTs). GCTs are thought to arise by misplacement of totipotent stem cells en route to gonads during embryogenesis. Intracranial GCTs display an affinity to develop along the pineal-suprasellar axis and have variable manifestations dependent upon the location of the tumor. Management and outcomes are driven by histopathologies. In this study, we highlight two cases of pineal GCTs and present a review of the literature with an emphasis on histopathologies and biomarkers.