Pineal gland seminoma: unusual localisation investigated through a case report and a literature review

Germinoma (called seminoma in the testis and dysgerminoma in the ovary) is the neoplastic side of the primitive germ cell. It may be of gonadal or extragonadal origin, although intracranial location remains rare (between 0.5% and 3.2% in adults), 2/3 of which are located in the pineal region. We report a case of a patient with a seminoma of the pineal gland. Symptoms included headache, vomiting and diplopia. The work-up was negative. The patient was initially treated with bleomycin, etoposide and platinum protocol chemotherapy. The tumour was deemed inaccessible to surgery, which is why the patient underwent three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy with a dose of 24 Gy in 12 fractions to the tri-ventricular system, followed by a 16 Gy boost to the pineal region. Pineal neoplasms are rare. Its prognosis has been considerably improved thanks to a multidisciplinary approach. However, radiotherapy remains a good alternative approach.