Concurrent Primary Mediastinal Germ Cell Tumor and Acute Myeloid
Leukemia: Case Report of Sustained Remission and Review of the
Literature
Abstract
Abstract: Introduction: Germ cell tumors (GCT) encompass a wide
variety of neoplasms with varying clinical behavior dependent on
histology, staging, and site. GCT remain relatively uncommon in the
pediatric population and most patients have a favorable prognosis.
However, the well-established co-occurrence of primary mediastinal GCT
(PMGCT) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has a dismal prognosis with few
reported patients achieving sustained remission. Case presentation: An
18 y.o. male was concurrently diagnosed with PMGCT and AML, type M7.
Cytogenetic analysis revealed a complex set of chromosomal alterations
along with homozygous deletion of TP53. His concurrent oncologic
processes were managed with a variety of chemotherapy regimens, complete
surgical resection of the mediastinal mass, and hematopoietic stem cell
transplant (HSCT). He is one of few patients with concurrent PMGCT and
AML able to achieve remission with no evidence of disease nearly 5 years
after completion of treatment. Conclusion: The rare, but
well-identified, association between PMGCT and concurrent or subsequent
AML has a dismal prognosis. Modern genetics sequencing has identified
common aberrations, including i(12p), trisomy/tetrasomy 8, TP53, and
PTEN mutations. With this knowledge, it may allow for future tailoring
of therapy to improve the predicted outcome of patients with PMGCT and
AML.