Outcome measures and definitions
The key outcome measures regarding diagnostic intervals were calculated
for each patient (Fig. 1) . Total diagnostic interval (TDI) was
defined as the interval between date of the first reported symptom onset
(including retrospective recall of symptoms) and diagnosis.
Patient-related interval (PI) was defined as the interval between
symptom onset and initial referral to a healthcare specialist;
healthcare-related interval (HI) was defined as the interval between
specialist evaluation and first brain MRI; tumour-related interval (TI)
was defined as the interval between first brain MRI and definitive
diagnosis of IC-GCT. Time lag to diagnosis from the first symptom longer
than 6 months (TDI >6 months) was identified in all
patients, to allow direct comparison of our results with previous
studies15,17,21,23, whereas PI, HI and TI were
investigated only when an endocrine disorder was the presenting symptom.
Subgroup analyses by age at diagnosis, tumour grade and tumour location
were also performed.
We recorded oncologic treatments (chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy),
tumour recurrence and death.