Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBMs) tumors are exceedingly rare tumors in the pineal region. We present three cases in which patients presented with a pineal/posterior third ventricular region mass and review all the previously reported cases in the literature. Pineal region GBM seems to be a very aggressive tumor with a high rate of leptomeningeal and ependymal metastatic disease. Patients usually present with signs and symptoms of hydrocephalus and Parinaud’s syndrome. The clinical and radiological characteristics of pineal GBM do not differentiate it from other malignancies of this region, thus surgical biopsy is generally required for definitive diagnosis. Glioblastoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of the pineal region tumors, especially when evidence of leptomeningeal or ependymal metastatic disease is present.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Abbreviations
- GBM :
-
Glioblastoma multiforme
- CT:
-
Computed tomography
- MRI:
-
Magnetic resonance imaging
References
Burger P (2002) Surgical pathology of the nervous system and its coverings. Elsevier Science Health Science, New York
Knierim DS, Yamada S (2003) Pineal tumors and associated lesions: the effect of ethnicity on tumor type and treatment. Pediatr Neurosurg 38:307–323
Hirato J, Nakazato Y (2001) Pathology of pineal region tumors. J Neurooncol 54:239–249
Cho BK, Wang KC, Nam DH, Kim DG, Jung HW, Kim HJ, Han DH, Choi KS (1998) Pineal tumors: experience with 48 cases over 10 years. Childs Nerv Syst 14:53–58
DeGirolami U, Schmidek H (1973) Clinicopathological study of 53 tumors of the pineal region. J Neurosurg 39:455–462
Gasparetto EL, Warszawiak D, Adam GP, Bleggi-Torres LF, de Carvalho Neto A (2003) Glioblastoma multiforme of the pineal region: case report. Arq Neuropsiquiatr 61:468–472
Vaquero J, Ramiro J, Martinez R (1990) Glioblastoma multiforme of the pineal region. J Neurosurg Sci 34:149–150
Bradfield JS, Perez CA (1972) Pineal tumors and ectopic pinealomas. Analysis of treatment and failures. Radiology 103:399–406
Pople IK, Arango JC, Scaravilli F (1993) Intrinsic malignant glioma of the pineal gland. Childs Nerv Syst 9:422–424
Frank F, Gaist G, Piazza G, Ricci RF, Sturiale C, Galassi E (1985) Stereotaxic biopsy and radioactive implantation for interstitial therapy of tumors of the pineal region. Surg Neurol 23:275–280
Kalyanaraman UP (1979) Primary glioblastoma of the pineal gland. Arch Neurol 36:717–718
Norbut AM, Mendelow H (1981) Primary glioblastoma multiforme of the pineal region with leptomeningeal metastases: a case report. Cancer 47:592–596
Toyooka T, Miyazawa T, Fukui S, Otani N, Nawashiro H, Shima K (2005) Central neurogenic hyperventilation in a conscious man with CSF dissemination from a pineal glioblastoma. J Clin Neurosci 12:834–837
Daumas-Duport C, Scheithauer B, O’Fallon J, Kelly P (1988) Grading of astrocytomas. A simple and reproducible method. Cancer 62:2152–2165
Lacroix M, Abi-Said D, Fourney DR, Gokaslan ZL, Shi W, DeMonte F, Lang FF, McCutcheon IE, Hassenbusch SJ, Holland E, Hess K, Michael C, Miller D, Sawaya R (2001) A multivariate analysis of 416 patients with glioblastoma multiforme: prognosis, extent of resection, and survival. J Neurosurg 95:190–198
Bruce JN, Ogden AT (2004) Surgical strategies for treating patients with pineal region tumors. J Neurooncol 69:221–236
Acknowledgements
We thank Kristin Kraus for her editorial assistance in preparing this paper.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Amini, A., Schmidt, R.H., Salzman, K.L. et al. Glioblastoma multiforme of the pineal region. J Neurooncol 79, 307–314 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11060-006-9145-x
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11060-006-9145-x