Pineoblastoma

Other names: Pineal gland tumor, pinealoblastoma

What is Pineoblastoma?

Pineoblastoma is a very rare tumor that develops in the pineal gland in the brain. The pineal gland is a tiny structure deep within the brain. The main function of the pineal gland is to release melatonin, a hormone that controls sleep. It also influences the release of certain hormones from the pituitary gland.

Pineoblastoma in children is a rare tumor that develops in the pineal gland in the brain. About half of the tumors that occur in the pineal gland are pineoblastomas.

The pineal gland is part of the endocrine system. It is located near the center of the brain. The pineal gland is tiny, about the size of a grain of rice. Its main job is to produce the hormone melatonin. The pineal gland receives nerve signals that depend on light perceived by the eye. Darkness causes the release of melatonin. Melatonin helps to regulate the body’s sleep/wake cycles. Melatonin also helps to control certain reproductive hormones including luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). These hormones are important for reproductive function.

Pineoblastoma is most common in children and young adults. However, these tumors account for less than 1% of childhood brain tumors. About half of tumors that occur in the pineal gland are pineoblastomas. Other tumors that can occur in the pineal gland include germ cell tumors, gliomas, and benign pineal parenchymal tumors. Pineoblastomas are very similar in histology to embryonal tumors such as medulloblastoma that occur in other locations.

Pineoblastomas are usually treated with surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. The 5-year survival rate for childhood pineoblastoma is about 60-65%.

Risk Factors and Causes of Pineoblastoma

Pineoblastomas can occur at any age. However, they are most common in children ages 10 and younger. In most cases, the cause of pineoblastoma is unknown. Rarely, pineoblastoma can occur in children with bilateral retinoblastoma, a cancer associated with a change in the gene RB1. The condition is also seen in patients with DICER1 syndrome.

Learn About Retinoblastoma

Signs and Symptoms of Pineoblastoma

Signs and symptoms of pineoblastoma depend on the tumor size and spread to other parts of the brain. Often, the tumor presses on the aqueduct in the brain. This causes cerebrospinal fluid to build up (hydrocephalus) and puts pressure on the brain.

Pineoblastoma symptoms may include:

Headache
Nausea and vomiting
Changes in energy level, fatigue
Problems with coordination, balance, or movement
Change in eye movements, especially an inability to look upwards

As the tumor grows, it may block the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid. This causes a buildup of fluid within the brain known as hydrocephalus. The fluid causes the ventricles to widen and increases pressure on the brain (intracranial pressure). Many of the symptoms of tumors in the pineal region are due to the increased pressure against brain tissue.

Diagnosis of Pineoblastoma

Doctors test for pineoblastoma in several ways.

A health history and physical exam helps doctors learn about symptoms, general health, past illness, and risk factors.
Blood chemistry and hormone studies are used to look at substances in the blood and urine.
A neurological exam examines the function of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. These tests measure different aspects of functioning including memory, vision, hearing, muscle strength, balance, coordination, and reflexes.
Imaging tests such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerized tomography (CT) are used to help identify the tumor. The images give information about the size and location of the tumor and help doctors better understand what areas of the brain might be affected.
A lumbar puncture may be performed to look for cancer cells in the cerebrospinal fluid.
The blood and cerebrospinal fluid may be tested to look for substances released by certain tumors, called tumor markers. Tumor markers including alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) may indicate germ cell tumor which can also occur in the pineal region.
A biopsy is usually performed to diagnose pineoblastoma. In a biopsy, a small sample of the tumor is removed during surgery. A pathologist looks at the tissue sample under a microscope to identify the specific type of pineal gland tumor.

Grading and Staging of Pineoblastoma

There is no standard staging for pineoblastoma. However, doctors may classify the tumor by spread of disease. This tumor may spread through the cerebrospinal fluid in 10-20% of cases. It rarely spreads to other parts of the body outside the central nervous system.

Patients with evidence of disease spread are considered to be high risk. Additional risk factors include bulky residual disease after initial surgery, and younger age (less than 3 years old).

Optic pathway tumors are grouped by how they look under the microscope. The more abnormal tumor cells look, the higher the grade. Pineoblastomas are high-grade (grade IV) tumors.

Prognosis for Pineoblastoma

Surgery to treat pineoblastoma is complex. The pineal gland is located deep within the brain, and the region has many blood vessels. However, successful removal of the tumor (gross total resection) is associated with better chance for recovery.

Factors that affect prognosis include:

Age at diagnosis; older children may have better outcomes.
Whether the cancer is localized or has spread to other parts of the brain or spinal cord.
Whether surgery is able to completely remove the tumor.
If the cancer is new or if it has come back (recurrent).

Survival rates for pineoblastoma are estimated to be between 60-65%.

Treatment of Pineoblastoma

Treatment for pineoblastoma depends on several factors including the size and location of the tumor and the child’s age. The main treatments for pineoblastoma are surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Treatment protocols are often similar to those used for medulloblastoma.

Because of the tumor location and the risk to nearby blood vessels, surgery is difficult. Surgery is used to remove as much of the tumor as possible. In some cases, patients with pineoblastoma will have surgery to place a shunt or to create an opening in the floor of the third ventricle (third ventriculostomy) in the brain to keep fluid from building up (hydrocephalus).

A shunt is a small tube that drains cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) so that the fluid can be removed from the brain. Excess fluid causes increased intracranial pressure and can cause many of the symptoms associated with pineal gland tumors. The shunt may be temporary or permanent.

In some cases, patients with pineoblastoma will have surgery to place a shunt to prevent hydrocephalus. A shunt is a small tube that drains cerebrospinal fluid so it can be removed from the brain.
Radiation therapy is often used after surgery for pineoblastoma. The dose and extent of radiation therapy depends on the presence or absence of disease spread and patient age. In general, for patients older than 3 years of age, radiation directed towards the entire central nervous system (craniospinal irradiation) with a higher dose (boost) at the primary tumor site is delivered. Late effects due to radiation can potentially occur and need to be monitored.

This therapy uses beams of radiation, X-rays or protons, to shrink tumors and kill cancer cells. Radiation works by damaging the DNA inside cancer cells.
Chemotherapy is often used along with radiation therapy and surgery. In very young children, chemotherapy may be used to help delay radiation until the child is older.

Life After Pineoblastoma

Periodic surveillance with magnetic resonance imaging is used to monitor patients after completion of treatment. Follow-up should focus on early detection and intervention for potential neurological, cognitive and endocrine complications.

Patients who receive radiation therapy to the pineal gland are at risk for long-term endocrine problems including pituitary gland dysfunction (hypopituitarism). Ongoing monitoring of hormone levels is important, and patients may need medicines including hormone replacement.

The pituitary gland is called the “master gland” because it is responsible for many hormones and control of other glands. Low pituitary function can lead to a number of problems. These problems may include delayed growth, fatigue, and fertility problems.

More: Life After Brain Tumors

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Reviewed: June 2018