Intracranial embryonal carcinoma

Last revised by Frank Gaillard on 8 Oct 2024

An intracranial embryonal carcinoma is a relatively rare neoplasm and accounts for only 10% of all intracranial germ cell tumors 1. It is an aggressive tumor and has a propensity to metastasize systemically 2. A component of embryonal carcinoma is often found in mixed germ-cell tumors, in which case it is usually the most aggressive component, and dictates prognosis. CSF and plasma AFP and b-HCG may be elevated 1, but again this is not specific to this tumor.