Surgical versus conservative treatment of the pineal region tumors

Many different histological types of tumors could be found at the pineal region. The proper treatment usually depends on the nature of the expansion. We have analyzed the series of 79 patients with pineal region masses, that were treated at our institution in the period of 14 years. The mean age of the patients was 32 years, the majority of them were males - 53 (67,1%), and the operation was performed in 43 (54,4%). Hydrocephalus was present in 75 patients (94,9%). The follow up period ranged from 1 to 14 years (mean 3,81). Among the operated patients, there were 11 gliomas (25,6%), 8 meningeomas (18,6%), 6 germ cell tumors (14%) and 6 pineal cell tumors (14%). Other histological types were occasional. Cumulative survival for the conservatively treated patients was 0,273 with median survival of 8 years. Cumulative survival for the surgically treated patients was 0,556 with median survival time of 11 years. Good outcome after the treatment was registered in operated patients.