抄録
An 8-year-old boy was admitted to our hospital with an embryonal carcinoma of the pineal region, which increased in size (to 5.0×5.5 cm) after a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. The tumor was totally removed by the infratentorial supracerebellar approach, and the patient was given radiation therapy and chemotherapy. The tumor was diagnosed histologically as embryonal carcinoma with endodermal sinus tumor elements. The patient died 1 year after the onset of symptoms.
Embryonal carcinoma (including endodermal sinus tumors) of the pineal region has been reported in 38 patients (26 articles). We analyzed the reported cases, with particular reference to treatment and survival. The survival was nearly the same when partial excision plus radiation therapy was compared with radiation therapy alone. Longer survival periods can be expected if subtotal or total removal is combined with radiation therapy.
