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Pineal region teratomas in children
J Steno1, I Bízik, P Biksadský
1Department of Neurosurgery, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|November 5, 1997
Summary
Radical surgery for pediatric pineal region teratomas offers survival benefits. However, immature teratomas require vigilant follow-up due to recurrence risk, necessitating regular tumor marker and imaging surveillance.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric neurosurgery
- Pediatric oncology
- Neuro-oncology
Background:
- Pineal region teratomas are rare pediatric tumors.
- Immature and mixed teratomas represent a significant challenge due to their potential for aggressive behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the outcomes of radical surgical resection for immature and mixed mature/immature teratomas in the pineal region in children.
- To highlight the importance of long-term surveillance following treatment.
Main Methods:
- Case series review of three pediatric patients undergoing radical tumor removal.
- Post-operative follow-up including clinical assessment, tumor marker monitoring, and neuroradiological investigations.
Main Results:
- Two patients with immature teratomas achieved long-term survival and remained well after 25 and 26 months.
- One patient with a mixed teratoma experienced a local recurrence 11 months post-surgery, leading to a fatal increase in intracranial pressure.
Conclusions:
- Radical surgery can be effective for pineal region teratomas in children.
- Adjuvant therapy and rigorous long-term monitoring, including tumor markers and neuroimaging, are crucial for detecting recurrence, especially in mixed teratomas.