Pineal gland tumors: experience from the SEER database.

Area of Science:

• Neuro-oncology
• Epidemiology
• Oncology

Background:

• Pineal gland tumors are rare, comprising less than 1% of primary brain tumors.
• These tumors are more prevalent in pediatric populations compared to adults.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the incidence, survival rates, and treatment modalities of pineal gland tumors.
• To identify factors influencing survival in patients with pineal gland tumors.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) data from 1973-2005.
• Cohort subdivided by histology: germ cell tumors, pineal parenchymal tumors, gliomas, and others.
• Evaluation of incidence, survival, prognostic factors, and treatment approaches.

Main Results:

• A cohort of 633 patients with pineal tumors was analyzed; males predominated (3:1 ratio overall, 11.8:1 for germ cell tumors).
• Five-year overall survival was 65%. Germ cell tumors had the best survival (78.9%), followed by gliomas (61%), and pineal parenchymal tumors (47.2%).
• Negative survival factors included non-germ cell histology, absence of radiotherapy, and pre-1993 diagnosis; surgical extent did not impact survival.

Conclusions:

• Pineal tumors, despite histological diversity, share characteristics due to their location.
• Aggressive surgical intervention in the pineal region requires careful consideration.
• Further research into specific pineal tumor subtypes is warranted.