What is The Yolk Sac Tumor?
Yolk sac tumor is a rare malignant (cancerous) type of germ cell tumor (GCT). Germ cell tumors develop from reproductive cells such as the ovaries and testes. Usually, yolk sac tumors are of gonadal origin (develops from the ovaries and testicles), but in 5% of cases, they can originate from extragonadal sites such as from lungs, stomach, intestines, abdomen chest, and brain.What is a Yolk Sac Tumor Of The Brain?
Germ cell tumor (GCTs) that originate from anywhere in the brain is called yolk sac tumor of the brain. These are very rare and make only 1% of all germ cell tumors. While in 5-7% of cases germ cell tumors of any other part or organ of the body metastasized (spread) to the brain.Signs And Symptoms
The patient may present with the following signs and symptoms. These are- Usually patient present with one-sided weakness of the body
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Dizziness (faint feeling)
- Slurred speech
- Loss of body coordination while walking or doing any physical activity
- Fever
Diagnosis
The following diagnostic techniques and procedures can be used to make a diagnosis. These are- Imaging studies such as X-ray, CT-scan, and MRI to detect the site, size, and extent of the metastasis (spread of the tumor)
- Test for serum alpha feto protein
- Tumor biopsy and histopathological examination