To define optimal therapy modalities, we retrospectively analyzed the treatment of patients with intracranial teratomas.

Conclusion: Treatment of intracranial teratomas is very difficult because of the heterogeneity of the tumor cells from totipotent origins.

Methods: Between 1979 and 2007, 31 patients with intracranial teratomas were treated at our institution.

Purpose: Until recently, postoperative adjuvant treatment for intracranial teratomas has remained controversial because of the rarity of the tumors and the heterogeneity of histologic types.

Intracranial teratomas are rare germ cell neoplasms occurring more often during childhood.