[A case of pineoblastoma successfully treated with surgery, combined chemotherapy of cisplatin and etoposide, and radiotherapy].

Abstract

A 5-year-old girl was admitted to another clinic because of vomiting and convulsions. She was brought to our clinic after a ventriculoperitoneal shunt was inserted. CT scan on admission in our clinic showed a tumor in the pineal region with tumoral hemorrhage. Tumor markers such as HCG, AFP, CEA, P-LAP were within normal range. A biopsy of the tumor was performed and the histological diagnosis was pineoblastoma. Her recovery was excellent and disseminated metastasis was not recognized. A subtotal removal of the tumor was performed through the occipital transtentorial approach. She had no neurological deficits after surgery. She then received two 5-day cycles of chemotherapy, consisting of intravenous administration of 20 mg/m2/day cisplatin and 60 mg/m2/day etoposide, and craniospinal radiotherapy. After these therapies, the tumor responded and disappeared completely. Follow-up radiographic investigations also demonstrated no abnormal evidence except for brain atrophy. She is attending a primary school without any problems. Pineoblastoma is quite rare and remarkably malignant. Hence, aggressive therapies including surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy is indicated for this tumor.

• Authors: Y Akiyama, Y Akiyama, J Kumai, M Nishikawa
• Journal: No shinkei geka. Neurological surgery (No Shinkei Geka) Vol. 23 Issue 10 Pg. 921-5 (Oct 1995) ISSN: 0301-2603 [Print] Japan
• PMID: 7477703 (Publication Type: Case Reports, English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Etoposide
• Cisplatin

Topics

• Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols (therapeutic use)
• Brain Neoplasms (drug therapy, radiotherapy, surgery)
• Child, Preschool
• Cisplatin (administration & dosage)
• Combined Modality Therapy
• Etoposide (administration & dosage)
• Female
• Humans
• Pineal Gland
• Pinealoma (drug therapy, radiotherapy, surgery)