Surgical strategies for treating patients with pineal region tumors

Optimal management of pineal region tumors depends on securing an accurate histologic diagnosis to facilitate management customized to the nuances of specific pathologies. As an initial step, surgical intervention by either stereotactic biopsy or open surgery is necessary to obtain tissue for pathologic examination. Stereotactic biopsy has the benefit of relative ease and minimal morbidity but is associated with greater likelihood of diagnostic inaccuracy compared to open surgery where more extensive tissue sampling is possible. The role of surgical debulking in the management of pineal tumors is clearly defined for some tumors but is less evident for others. Among the one third of pineal tumors that are benign or low grade, complete surgical resection is achievable and constitutes optimal management with excellent long-term recurrence-free survival. The benefits of aggressive surgical resection among malignant tumors are less clear but several studies have correlated degree of tumor removal with improved outcome. Advances in technology, surgical technique, and post-operative care have minimized surgical complications, however all surgical procedures in the pineal region, including both stereotactic biopsy and open surgery, are potentially hazardous. Advanced judgment, experience, and expertise are necessary to achieve rates of success sufficient to justify aggressive management. Management strategies using stereotactic biopsy, endoscopy, and radiosurgery can also provide favorable outcomes in some cases. Selective incorporation of these innovations can be expected to improve the already highly favorable outcome for all pineal region tumors.