Five-year review of pineal region tumors at the Philippine General Hospital

ABSTRACT

@#<p style="text-align justify;"><strong>RATIONALE</strong> Pineal region tumors are rare neoplasms with a reportedly higher incidence in Asian countries; however, local Philippine data is lacking.<br /><strong>METHODS:</strong> A retrospective chart review was conducted on all newly diagnosed adult and pediatric patients with pineal region tumors admitted at the Philippine General Hospital between 2011 and 2015. Data  about  demographic  profile,  biochemical  markers,  imaging findings, histopathology, and treatment were collected.<br /><strong>RESULTS:</strong> Forty-two patients (36 males, 6 females; Sex Ratio = 61) were included in the study, with a mean age of 16.5 years. On imaging, solitary pineal area tumors were seen in 34 (81%) patients, while 8 (19%)  presented  with  synchronous  tumors  in  the  pineal  and suprasellar areas. Hydrocephalus was present in 41 (98%). Tumor marker (serum +/- CSF ?FP and ?hCG) determination was performed in 33(79%)  patients. Thirty-eight (90%) patients underwent surgical intervention for tumor biopsy and/or CSF diversion. Combining the tumor marker levels and histopathology results, there were 20(48%) germ  cell  tumors,  4(9%)  pineal  parenchymal  tumors,  1(2%) meningioma, 1(2%) epidermoid tumor, and 16(38%) tumors with incomplete  diagnosis.  Regarding  adjuvant  treatment,  5  patients underwent chemotherapy, 6 underwent radiotherapy, and 1 patient received both. Follow-up data were available in only 16 patients, with a mean follow-up of 12 months (range 1-33 months).<br /><strong>CONCLUSION:</strong> The demographic profile and histologic subtypes of patients with pineal region tumors in this series were comparable with other series in the literature. However, due to limited resources leading to suboptimal medical care and poor follow-up, a reliable treatment outcome could not be determined</p>