Pinealocyte is the cell in this region that is present in the greatest number and can transform into the malignant pinealoblasoma. Yolk-sac tumors or germinomas or teratomas can get formed within the pineal gland. This is how tumors are developed in the pineal region.
Symptoms of Pineal Region Tumor
Pineal region tumor’s symptoms include the loss of ability to look upward or diplopia, and other symptoms that are related to increased intracranial pressure (like vomiting, sickness, etc.) and hydrocephalus. These symptoms can be detected and diagnosed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or Computed Tomography (CT) scanning that defines the tumor, its size, location and homo/heterogeneity, and the surrounding anatomy in a clearer way. Mostly, male patients are detected with germinomas. A tissue diagnosis by obtaining tissue at surgery in needed for effective and proper treatment of this type of brain tumor.
Malignant tumors like yolk sac tumors, germinomas, pinealoblastomas and malignant teratomas lead to metastases in the CSF, thus providing access to the tumor cells to the spine and other parts of the brain. Due to the possibility of metastasis, these lesions should be treated with medical treatments like chemotherapy or cranio-spinal irradiation therapy followed by surgery.
Diagnosis of Pineal Region Tumor
Imaging studies are the fundamental components in the process of diagnosis of pineal region tumor. Primarily, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is used for diagnosing that shows the size and other characteristics of the tumor and indicates whether hydrocephalus is present or not. In Computed Tomography (CT) scans, the presence of calcification or hardening in the tumor is detected. For any of these studies, an agent providing contrast in the image is administered in an intravenous manner so as to enable neurological surgeons to visualize the tumor against the background of the normal brain.
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