Tumours of the pineal region: retrospective study about 40 cases

Authors

  • Chiraz Nasr Ben Ammar
  • Dorra Mnif
  • Bacem Belghith
  • Lotfi Kochbati
  • Hatem Frikha
  • Walid Gargouri
  • Mounir Besbes
  • Mansour Ben Abdallah
  • Mongi Maalej

Keywords:

Pineal region tumours, Radiotherapy, Chemotherapy, Surgery

Abstract

Background : the tumours of the pineal region are rare brain tumours, most common in children and characterized by a large clinical and histologic polymorphism.
Aim: to assess the outcome and prognostic factors of 40 patients with primitive pineal region tumours treated at the department of radiotherapy of Salah Azaiz institute.
Methods: between January 1977 and December 2000, 40 patients received radiotherapy. There were 22 adults and 18 children (age < 16 years). The mean age was 20.4 years and sex ratio was 2.07. Histologic diagnosis was confirmed in 11 cases; 16 patients had a CT evaluation after 20 Gy radiotherapy and in 13 cases diagnosis was performed with CT aspects ± germinal tumour markers. Target volume varied; 10 had craniospinal irradiation, 16 had local irradiation and 14 had whole brain irradiation with a boost at the tumour bed. Chemotherapy was proposed for metastases and recurrent diseases.
Results: survival rates were 87% at 2 years and 74, 5% at 5 years. For children, survival rates were 88% at 2 and 4 years. Eight patients (20%) failed locally and 5 patients (12.5%) had metastasis. Age, performance status and large fields of radiotherapy seem to be associated with prognosis and survival.
Conclusion: Pineal tumours and especially germinal tumours are chemosensitive and radiosensitive, care of these tumours is
multidisciplinary involving surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. From our study and a review of the literature, we tried to find a therapeutic strategy for tumours of the pineal region.

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Published

2010-09-30

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