Tumors of the pineal region in children and adolescents.
The treatment of tumors in the pineal area remains controversial. There are two main approaches: Conservative treatment, consisting in CSF shunting and radiotherapy, and direct surgical removal. We report on 25 children (22 boys and 3 girls) aged between 4 and 20 years who underwent conservative treatment. The follow-up period ranges from 1 to 11 years (mean, 4.8 years). 19 patients are still alive at a mean survival time of 5.8 years. 17 children are free of disease, two have severe neurological deficits. Our diagnostic and therapeutical concepts are presented.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D002557:Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004407:Dysgerminoma / Q000628:therapy*; D004806:Ependymoma / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery; D010870:Pineal Gland; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage