title: Endodermal sinus tumor of the pineal region. Metastases through a ventriculoperitoneal shunt.
abstract: This case report concerns an endodermal sinus tumor (EST) arising in the pineal region of a 16-year-old boy who died 3 months after radiation. He developed extensive abdominal metastases through a ventriculoperitoneal shunt, whereas the primary tumor and a suprasellar metastasis could be controlled by radiotherapy, demonstrated by autopsy. The histologic diagnosis was supported by an elevated level of alpha-fetoprotein in serum and the demonstration of this marker in the tumor tissue by immunoperoxidase method. The poor diagnosis of all previously reported cases with pineal EST requires a combined modality of surgical approach, radiotherapy, and concomitant chemotherapy.
mesh_terms: D000008:Abdominal Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000556:secondary*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002557:Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008649:Mesonephroma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D010537:Peritoneum; D010870:Pineal Gland