[Iatrogenic metastasis of pineal tumors]

Zh Vopr Neirokhir Im N N Burdenko. 2004 Oct-Dec:(4):28-33; discussion 33-4.
[Article in Russian]

Abstract

Malignant pineal tumors (PT) tend to metastasize. In rare cases, this process is provoked by surgery. This paper describes four cases of iatrogenic metastasis of PT. Metastasis occurred: a) along the surgical approach path after tumor removal in 2 cases; b) along the biopsy cannula path; and c) along the ventriculoperitoneal catheter into the abdomen. The sources of metastases were pineoblastoma (n = 1), malignant teratoma (n = 1), germinoma (n = 1), and malignant germ-cell tumor of unknown genesis (n = 1). To prevent this complication due to high-grade PT, such as malignant germ-cell tumors and pineoblastomas, radiation of the whole brain, besides the sites of a tumor should be performed and, in some cases, in combination with chemotherapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Brain Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Brain Neoplasms / surgery
  • Child, Preschool
  • Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / secondary
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
  • Neurosurgical Procedures / adverse effects*
  • Pineal Gland
  • Postoperative Complications / pathology
  • Teratoma / pathology
  • Teratoma / secondary
  • Teratoma / surgery