title: Complete regression of adult pineoblastoma following radiotherapy: A case report and review of the literature.
abstract: Adult pineoblastomas (PBs) are rare central nervous system tumors. Little is known with regard to the clinical features and outcomes of adult PB, and optimal treatment strategies for adult PB remain to be determined. The current report describes a case of PB in a 46-year-old male, who presented with obstructive hydrocephalus due to a large pineal region mass. Considering the potential effect on quality of life, the patient underwent a partial resection. Postoperative radiotherapy, comprising prophylactic craniospinal irradiation at a dose of 34.2 Gy followed by a local 25.3-Gy 'boost' to the tumor site for a total dose of 59.5 Gy, resulted in the complete regression of the tumor without neurological deficits. The patient has remained free of recurrence for 36 months after radiotherapy. This case highlights a minimally invasive strategy to treat a rare pineal region tumor with significant involvement of critical structures that resulted in a favorable response and an excellent neurological outcome. The radiographic and histopathological features of PB are also reviewed, and the various treatment options reported in the literature are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ai
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Xingchen
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Radiation and Physics Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Shichao
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Yuquan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wei
keywords: adult; pineoblastoma; radiotherapy; surgery