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Pineal Parenchymal Tumors
Pineal parenchymal tumors form from parenchymal cells or pinocytes, the cells that make up most of the pineal gland. These differ from pineal astrocytic tumors, which are astrocytomas that form in tissue that supports the pineal gland. Grades of pineal parenchymal tumors include the following:
- Pineocytomas (grade II): Pineocytomas are slow-growing pineal tumors that occur most often in adults aged 25 to 35.
- Pineoblastomas (grade IV): Pineoblastomas are rare and highly malignant. They usually occur in children.
Treatment of pineal parenchymal tumors may include the following:
- Surgery plus radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy.
- A clinical trial of external radiation therapy plus hyperthermia therapy or new methods of delivering radiation therapy.
- A clinical trial of new anticancer drugs and biologic therapy following radiation therapy.
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