Abstract
Background: Pineal parenchymal tumors (PPTs) are uncommon tumors comprising of pineocytoma (PC), pineal parenchymal tumor of intermediate differentiation (PPTID) and pineoblastoma (PB). Morphological sub typing and histological grading based on mitotic index and neurofilament (NF) immunostaining, are the factors affecting the survival of these patients. Treatment strategy and prognosis of PPTIDs remain controversial with limited data available on pathological features and biological behavior of PPTID. Case series: A series of 8 pineal parenchymal tumors over a period of 5 years are reported here with special reference to PPTIDs. The series includes 3 cases of PC, 2 of PPTID and 3 of PB. Patients underwent decompression, microsurgical/ stereotactic/ endoscopic biopsy. Histological features with MIB1 LI (labelling index) and NF immunostaining were studied and showed varied presentation. One case in each group of PC and PPTID showed ganglion like cells. Both PPTIDs showed 8% and 20% MIB1 LI. All PBs showed brisk mitosis hemorrhage and necrosis except for one case where mitosis was not clearly evident but showed high MIB1 LI (50%).
Highlights
The World Health Organization (WHO) classification scheme, released in 2007, categorizes pineal parenchymal tumors into 3 subtypes and different grade categories: 1) WHO grade I pineocytomas (PC), 2) WHO grade II or III pineal parenchymal tumors of intermediate differentiation (PPTID), and 3) WHO grade IV pineoblastomas (PB)
A series of 8 pineal parenchymal tumors at our center reported over a period of 5 years are described with special reference to pineal parenchymal tumor of intermediate differentiation (PPTID)
Pineal parenchymal tumors of intermediate differentiation Case 4: A 29-years-old male was admitted complaining of headache and vomiting, MRI showed a mass in posterior third ventricle in pineal region
Summary
PCs with ganglionic differentiation have an essentially benign course. Ganglionic differentiation in PPTIDs, its impact on the prognosis and as a differentiating factor between PPTID grade II and grade III needs further study. MIB1 LI would be helpful in samples where mitotic activity is not clearly evident and its usefulness in grading PPTIDs needs to be clearly defined
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
