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Pineal Region Tumors: Clinical Aspects

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Tumors of the Central Nervous System, Volume 10

Part of the book series: Tumors of the Central Nervous System ((TCNS,volume 10))

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Abstract

Pineal region tumors are rare in children. They are predominantlly seen in males and median age is usually reported less than 10 years according to different studies. They show diversity in histopathology and the treatment of these tumors depends majorly on this feature. Germ cell tumors compose nearly 60% of all cases and pineal parenchymal tumors were the second most common tumor type in this region. Unlike the other parts of the brain, gliomas and other tumors constitute less than 5% of the tumors of this region. Lesions of benign histology should also be considered in differential diagnosis. Endocrinological signs and symptoms may also prominently accompany the symtoms and signs of increased intracranial pressure and hydrocephalus because of the regulatory function of the pineal gland on the whole endocrine system. Besides tumor histopathology, the prognosis is also associated with treatment modalities such as surgery which is the mainstay of the treatment and appopriate adjuvant and/or neoadjuvant treatment modalities which would be discussed later in the subsequent chapter.

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Correspondence to Nalan Yazici .

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Yazici, N., Varan, A. (2013). Pineal Region Tumors: Clinical Aspects. In: Hayat, M. (eds) Tumors of the Central Nervous System, Volume 10. Tumors of the Central Nervous System, vol 10. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-5681-6_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-5681-6_2

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