Precise detection of the germinomatous component of intracranial germ cell tumors of the basal ganglia and thalamus using placental alkaline phosphatase in cerebrospinal fluid

The disadvantages of biopsy for lesions in the basal ganglia and thalamus include a risk various complications, difficulty selecting target tissue some cases due to indistinct neuroimaging findings limited availability sample tissue. Placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP) plays decisive role diagnosis management intracranial germ cell tumors (IGCTs) thalamus. present study aimed demonstrate ability, specificity, optimal use PLAP values obtained from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Twenty patients with were enrolled this study: 11 had IGCTs 9 non-IGCTs. other established tumor markers CSF measured all before treatment. mean follow-up period was 76.0 months (range, 3–168) lesions. elevated or thalamus, whereas none non-IGCT exhibited PLAP. Thus, sensitivity specificity both 100%. Our data demonstrated that value can specifically identify germinomatous component even high specificity. is undoubtedly beneficial safe timely detection because reliance on measurement enables us avoid invasive surgical procedures facilitates prompt initiation chemoradiation therapy.