Clinicopathological experience with pineocytomas: report of five surgically treated cases
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J Vaquero1, J Ramiro, R Martínez
1Department of Neurosurgery, Puerta de Hierro Clinic, Autonomous University, Madrid, Spain.
Abstract:
The clinicopathological experience associated with five cases of pineocytoma is presented. All patients were treated by surgical removal without postoperative radiotherapy. In three individuals, 2000 cGy was administered to the tumor as a presurgical diagnostic test, with no evidence of response. All cases demonstrated histological features of pineocytoma, according to the criteria of Borit et al., and of the so-called "pineocytoma with neuronal differentiation," according to the criteria of Rubinstein. The experience obtained from the present series reveals that these tumors can occur in the initial decades of life, that a cystic appearance and the presence of calcifications are distinctive features of their radiological evaluation, and that they have a good prognosis after surgical removal, even when the histological data indicate local invasion. The convenience of reserving the term "pineocytoma" for these tumors, and of including the so-called "pineocytomas without further differentiation" within the group of pineoblastomas, is suggested in order to achieve a practical clinicopathological assessment of parenchymatous pineal tumors.
Insights
This study presents five pineocytoma cases, highlighting their occurrence in young patients and distinctive radiological features like cysts and calcifications. Surgical removal offers a good prognosis, even with local invasion, suggesting refined classification for pineal tumors.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Pathology
- Neurosurgery
Background:
- Pineocytomas are rare parenchymal tumors of the pineal gland.
- Accurate clinicopathological assessment is crucial for effective treatment and prognosis.
Observation:
- Five cases of pineocytoma were analyzed, with all patients undergoing surgical removal.
- Histological features aligned with established criteria (Borit et al., Rubinstein).
- Radiological evaluation showed cystic appearance and calcifications as distinctive features.
Findings:
- Pineocytomas can occur in the early decades of life.
- Surgical removal resulted in a good prognosis, irrespective of local invasion.
- Presurgical radiotherapy showed no response.
Implications:
- The study suggests reserving the term 'pineocytoma' for specific histological types.
- Reclassifying 'pineocytomas without further differentiation' as pineoblastomas may improve diagnostic clarity.
- This refinement aids in practical clinicopathological assessment of pineal parenchymal tumors.