[Clinical study of pineal region tumors: experience with 132 patients].
OBJECTIVE
To review the clinical manifestations, imaging, tumor markers, treatment methods, pathology results and clinical curative effects of pineal region tumors and to evaluate the characteristics and intervention strategies for those tumors.


METHODS
The clinicopathological data of 132 patients with pineal region tumor treated in our department between January 2000 and May 2008 were retrospectively studied.


RESULTS
A moderate predominance in males was presented. The clinical manifestations of the disease included increased intracranial pressure and ocular movement impairment. There were some features but no regularity and specific appearance on imaging including CT and MRI. 88.6% of patients associated with hydrocephalus. A high serum level of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) was presented in 14 cases and high HCG in 9 cases. Eighteen cases received direct radiation therapy and 7 had radiotherapy post biopsy. 107 cases were treated surgically and 63 cases received postoperative adjuvant treatment. 114 cases had pathology results including 56 germ cell tumors. The patients were followed up for 12 approximately 132 months. Recurrence developed in 23 cases and 12 cases died. The 5-year survival rate was 89.3%.


CONCLUSIONS
Pineal region tumors are often associated with hydrocephalus and this makes preoperative diagnosis difficult. Imaging examination may help diagnosis but less specific. Germ cell tumors may diagnosed by some tumor markers. Radiation therapy is the choice of treatment for pure germinomas. Other types of pineal region tumors should receive surgical treatment. Postoperative adjuvant treatment based on pathology can provide a good prognosis in pineal region tumor.
Qiu
Bing-Hui
BH
Department of Neurosurgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
Fang
Lu-Xiong
LX
Zhang
Xi-An
XA
Qi
Song-Tao
ST
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000097:blood; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000209:etiology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D010871:Pinealoma / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D015996:Survival Rate; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000378:metabolism
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins