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Shonka, Nicole A.

Mayo Clinic

University of Nebraska Medical Center

Citations 1

Reversed sequence radiation therapy for treatment of primary central nervous system choriocarcinoma prioritizing for bleeding control: A case report
Zhou, Anita , Carmicheal, Joseph , Shonka, Nicole A., Zhang, Chi, Zhou, Anita

Sage Open Medical Case Reports | June 11, 2026 | Volume: 14 | Issue: No issue available | Pages: No page available

10.1177/2050313x261426770 Get It

Primary central nervous system choriocarcinoma is a non-germinomatous germ cell tumor with a highly malignant character, comprising up to 5% of all central nervous system germ cell tumors. Locations affected can include suprasellar or pineal locations most commonly, with others including the basal ganglia and lateral ventricles. Guidelines do not specify an optimal radiation regimen but recommend proceeding with maximally safe resection if feasible and then chemotherapy before radiotherapy. Radiation is often comprised of craniospinal irradiation with subsequent tumor bed boost. We present a case of an adult male with a primary central nervous system choriocarcinoma who underwent reversed sequence radiation therapy with photon tumor bed boost before proton craniospinal irradiation due to recurrent intracranial hemorrhages with long-term control of cancer and no subsequent hemorrhages. This case highlights the excellent outcome and feasibility of reversed sequence radiotherapy on choriocarcinoma in hemorrhage and tumor control.