Pineal Region Tumors Diagnosis and Treatment

MRI of a pineal region tumor in the brain.

Credit: NCI-CONNECT Staff

Pineal region tumors are primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors. These tumors begin in the brain (in the pineal gland) but can spread to the spinal cord.

To get an accurate diagnosis, a piece of tumor tissue will be removed during surgery, if possible. A neuropathologist should then review the tumor tissue.

What are the grades of pineal region tumors?

Primary CNS tumors are graded based on the tumor location, tumor type, extent of tumor spread, genetic findings, the patient’s age, and tumor remaining after surgery, if surgery is possible.

Pineal region tumors are grouped in four grades and subtypes based on their characteristics.

Grade I pineocytoma are low grade tumors. This means the tumor cells grow slowly.
Grade II or III pineal parenchymal or papillary tumors of the pineal region are both mid-grade tumors. This means the tumors have a higher chance of coming back after being removed.
Grade IV pineoblastoma are malignant (cancerous). This means they are fast-growing tumors that tend to invade nearby tissue.

What do pineal region tumors look like on a CT scan or MRI?

Pineal region tumors usually appear as a solid mass that brightens with contrast. On a CT scan, calcium may be present. Pineoblastomas may extend into surrounding brain structures.

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What causes pineal region tumors?

Cancer is a genetic disease – that is, cancer is caused by certain changes to genes that control the way our cells function. Genes may be mutated (changed) in many types of cancer, which can increase the growth and spread of cancer cells. The cause of most pineal region tumors is not known. Pineoblastomas can occur in people with the inherited genetic disorder bilateral retinoblastoma.

Where do pineal region tumors form?

Pineal region tumors form in the pineal region of the brain. This region is located deep in the middle of the brain. Pineal region tumors arise from stem cells near the pineal gland.

Do pineal region tumors spread?

Pineal region tumors can spread to other areas in the CNS through cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

What are symptoms of a pineal region tumor?

Symptoms related to pineal region tumors depend on the tumor’s location. Here are some possible symptoms that can occur.

Pineal Region Tumor Symptoms

Pineal region tumors may cause increased pressure inside the skull due to production of too much CSF or blockage of its normal flow. This problem is known as hydrocephalus.

Signs and symptoms of hydrocephalus may include:

Headaches
Nausea
Vomiting
Difficulty with eye movements
Difficulty with balance
Difficulty walking

Who is diagnosed with pineal region tumors?

Pineal region tumors occur in children and young to middle age adults. Pineoblastomas are more common during the first 20 years of life. All tumors, except papillary tumors of the pineal region, occur slightly more often in females than males. They are most common in black people. An estimated 1,297 people are living with this tumor in the United States.

What is the prognosis of pineal region tumors?

The likely outcome of the disease or chance of recovery is called prognosis.

Pineal Region Tumors Prognosis

The relative 5-year survival rate for pineal region tumors is 69.5% but know that many factors can affect prognosis. This includes the tumor grade and type, traits of the cancer, the person’s age and health when diagnosed, and how they respond to treatment. If you want to understand your prognosis, talk to your doctor.

Advancing Treatments for Pineal Region Tumors

Read how collaborating across specialties can help neuro-oncologists better understand pineal region tumors.

What are the treatment options for pineal region tumors?

The first treatment for pineal region tumors is surgery, if possible. The goal of surgery is to obtain tissue to determine the tumor type and to remove as much tumor as possible without causing more symptoms for the person.

Treatments after surgery may include radiation, chemotherapy, or clinical trials. Clinical trials, with new chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy drugs, may also be available and can be a possible treatment option. Treatments are decided by the patient’s healthcare team based on the patient’s age, remaining tumor after surgery, tumor type, and tumor location.

Open Clinical Studies for Pineal Region Tumors

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Referrals

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