Pineocytoma

About Pineocytoma

General Information

• Pineocytoma is one of several different types of tumors that arise in the area of the pineal gland, requiring different therapies. The exact diagnosis is critical for choosing the correct therapy.
• Pineal tumors typically present with hydrocephalus, a buildup of fluid pressure within the brain. A team of experts is needed for optimum therapy. UCLA experts in neurosurgery, neuropathology (microscopic diagnosis), radiation therapy and oncology will work together to provide the best and latest therapies.

Symptoms

• Hydrocephalus commonly causes headaches and nausea/vomiting. Sometimes patients have difficulty looking up.

Diagnosis

• Scans
  • A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain is the most important imaging study. It will show the location, size, and shape of the tumor.
  • A computed tomography (CT) scan of the brain may be helpful to see if the tumor is calcified.
  • Both MRI and CT scans assess for the amount of hydrocephalus.
• Biopsy
  • In many cases, a biopsy is required to determine the tumor type. More than a dozen different types of tumor occur in this region.
  • UCLA neurosurgeons have expertise in minimally invasive techniques (endoscopy or stereotactic needle biopsy) for obtaining biopsies.
  • If the diagnosis of germinoma is suspected based on the MRI scan as well as the age and sex of the patient (young male), a biopsy may not be required prior to beginning treatment.
• Other tests
  • Some tumors that occur in the pineal region have high levels of certain chemicals (Beta-HCG, AFP, and CEA), which can be detected in the cerebrospinal fluid and/or blood. If detected, a surgical biopsy may not be necessary.
    

    An MRI scan shows a large tumor (arrow) in the pineal region of the brain. The biopsy confirmed glioblastoma, which is rare in this part of the brain. This illustrates the importance of obtaining a tissue biopsy in most cases.

Treatment

• Surgical Removal
  • The surgical removal of pineal region tumors ranks among the most difficult neurosurgical operations. Patients typically are referred to major university medical centers, like UCLA, where certain neurosurgeons have specific expertise in this type of surgery.
  • Although surgery can be curative in some cases, in other cases it provides a definitive diagnosis and reduces the size of the tumor.
  • Whenever possible, UCLA neurosurgeons use minimally invasive surgical techniques
• Surgical management of hydrocephalus
  • UCLA neurosurgeons have extensive expertise in the minimally invasive, endoscopic treatment of hydrocephalus. Typically, this can be done by an endoscopic third ventriculostomy. In other cases, a shunt may be necessary.
• Radiation therapy
  • More than 70 percent of tumors are highly sensitive to radiation therapy.
  • In many cases, stereotactic radiosurgery can provide excellent control of pineal tumors. UCLA uses the advanced Novalis shaped-beam stereotactic radiosurgery system, which is as or more effective than Gamma Knife.
• Chemotherapy
  • The choice is dependent on the type of tumor and the patient.
  • Many tumor types need both radiation and chemotherapy.