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Minim Invasive Neurosurg 2000; 43(3): 163-170
DOI: 10.1055/s-2000-14509
ORIGINAL PAPER
Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Non-Resective Management of Pineoblastoma

O. Barlas1 , Ç. Bayındır2 , M. İmer1 , İ. Ayan3 , E. Darendeliler3
  • 1 Department of Neurosurgery, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, University of Istanbul, Çapa, Istanbul, Turkey
  • 2 Department of Pathology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, University of Istanbul, Çapa, Istanbul, Turkey
  • 3 Department of Oncology, University of Istanbul, Çapa, Istanbul, Turkey
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 2000 (online)

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The results of a non-resective treatment approach for pineoblastoma comprising stereotactic biopsy, cerebrospinal fluid diversion, and fractionated radiotherapy in six patients over a period of six years are presented. There were three male and three female patients, with a median age at diagnosis of 20 years. Magnetic resonance imaging of the spine, ventricular cerebrospinal fluid cytology, and tumour markers in cerebrospinal fluid were negative. Tumour response to initial radiotherapy was complete in three patients and partial in three patients. Recurrences were treated with interstitial irradiation with iodine-125 seeds in four instances, repeat radiotherapy when time elapsed was more than five years in one instance, with surgical resection in two instances, and chemotherapy in two instances. The diagnostic and therapeutic effectiveness of this management strategy is assessed. There were no complications related to surgical procedures. The median follow-up time was 48 months (range 14 - 70 months). Five patients were alive at 14, 45, 51, 57, and 70 months of follow-up. One patient died of disease at 28 months following diagnosis. The overall survival rate was 80 % ± 17.89 % at 28 months. The results of this study suggest that this non-resective treatment approach is acceptable as an initial treatment alternative to radical surgical resection of pineoblastomas.

Key words:

Brain Tumours - Interstitial Irradiation - Pineoblastoma

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Corresponding Author

Prof O Barlas

Professor of Neurosurgery
Department of Neurosurgery
Istanbul Faculty of Medicine
University of Istanbul

Çapa
Istanbul
Turkey 34390

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