Pediatric Pineal Region Tumors

Tumors of the pineal gland region in children include pineal parenchymal tumors (mostly represented by pineoblastoma, a variant of primitive neuroectodermal tumors) and germ cell tumors (mostly represented by germinomas), with a handful of other rarer tumors and tumor-like masses. Germinomas are, by far, the most common pineal gland tumor and may also involve other areas simultaneously, such as the suprasellar region in the typical “bifocal” germinoma. Germ cell tumors may secrete tumor markers in the serum and/or CSF, and these may greatly facilitate the diagnosis and obviate the need for a biopsy. Pineal gland cyst is, by far, the most common pineal region mass in children. They are benign and usually d
o not require long-term follow-up.