Pineal and suprasellar germinomas

Abstract

The results of radiation treatment of 52 patients with a tumor in the pineal region or a suprasellar germinoma are analyzed. The overall 5-yr survival rate was 59%. Ten patients in whom initial biopsy confirmed pineal germinoma were alive 2-121 mo. from diagnosis, although 2 developed meningeal seeding at 2 and 7 mo. Twelve of 15 patients 25 yr old or younger with an unbiopsied tumor in the pineal region were alive 12-225 mo. after irradiation, with a 5-yr survival rate of 81%. Only 5 of 16 patients older than 25 yr with a pineal region tumor survived, a 5-yr survival rate of 37%. This marked age dependence in survival rates was attributed to a high proportion of germinomas in the younger patients and gliomas in the older patients.