Menu
Close
Back
Welcome to
Together is a new resource for anyone affected by pediatric cancer - patients and their parents, family members, and friends.
Learn MoreOther names: Pineal gland tumor, Pinealoblastoma
Pineoblastoma is a rare brain tumor that may occur in children and young adults. This tumor begins in the pineal gland, a tiny structure found deep in the brain.
About half of all tumors found in the pineal gland are pineoblastomas. Because of their location, these tumors can be hard to treat. Pineoblastoma tumors make up less than 1% of childhood brain tumors. The 5-year survival rate for childhood pineoblastoma ranges from 67–85% in the United States, depending on the type.
The pineal gland releases the hormone melatonin, which controls sleep. Melatonin also helps control the release of reproductive hormones from the pituitary gland, such as luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). These hormones are important for fertility and reproductive health. Some treatments for pineoblastoma may affect fertility.
Pineoblastoma is a rare tumor that develops in the pineal gland in the brain.
Signs and symptoms of pineoblastoma depend on the tumor size and if it has spread to other parts of the brain. Often, the growing tumor causes cerebrospinal fluid to build up in the brain, adding pressure. This is known as hydrocephalus. The increased pressure may cause some symptoms that occur with pineal tumors.
Pineoblastoma symptoms may include:
Fluid buildup in the brain can add pressure. This condition is known as hydrocephalus and may need treatment.
Often, doctors do not know what causes pineoblastoma. But some factors increase risk. Pineoblastoma:
Your child’s care team may refer your family to a genetic counselor if needed.
A cancer diagnosis requires tests and procedures. The doctor will give your child a physical exam, ask about their medical history, and order tests such as:
This cancer usually stays in the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system). In 10–20% of cases, pineoblastoma spreads through the cerebrospinal fluid to other parts of the body.
Pineoblastoma is classified by metastasis, or spread of disease:
Pineal gland tumors are also grouped based on how they look under a microscope, and how fast they may grow and spread in the body. The more abnormal the tumor cells look, the higher the grade of tumor. Pineoblastomas are high-grade (grade 4) tumors.
Treatment for pineoblastoma depends on:
Treatments may include:
The doctor will review the treatment options.
Radiation therapy is often given after pineoblastoma surgery. Energy from the radiation can damage or destroy rapidly growing cancer cells. Doctors can also use radiation to shrink the tumor. The dose and amount of radiation therapy depends on:
Radiation is not used in young children because it increases the risk of long-term side effects. In patients older than 3, radiation is usually given to the whole nervous system (craniospinal irradiation). A higher dose (boost) is given at the primary tumor site.
Learn more about radiation safety.
Radiation therapy uses beams of radiation to shrink tumors and kill cancer cells. It works by damaging the DNA inside cancer cells.
The prognosis for pineoblastoma depends on many factors. The 5-year survival rate for childhood pineoblastoma ranges from 67–85% in the United States, depending on the type, your child’s age, and the treatments received.
Your child’s care team is the best source of information about your child’s case.
Factors that may affect the chance of cure include:
Successful removal of the tumor and treatment with radiation therapy are linked to better outcomes for children with pineoblastoma.
Coping with a cancer diagnosis and treatment can be stressful for the patient and family. You may want to talk with a social worker, psychologist, or another mental health specialist.
Learn how to talk to your child about cancer.
After treatment, your child's doctor may use imaging tests and exams to watch for recurrence. Your child may also need treatment for neurological, cognitive, and endocrine problems.
Some treatments can cause late effects. These are health problems that happen months or years after the end of treatment. Patients who have radiation therapy to the pineal gland are at risk for long-term endocrine problems, such as low pituitary function. The endocrine glands make hormones that control body functions. This can lead to problems such as:
Ongoing monitoring of hormone levels is important. Patients may need medicines including hormone replacement to replace missing natural hormones when the body does not make what it needs.
Patients who get radiation therapy to the pineal gland are at risk for long-term endocrine system changes.
After completing treatment, it is important to:
Childhood cancer survivors should get follow-up care throughout their lives.
—
Reviewed: June 2023