
Pineal gland tumors, though rare, are seen in adults and children. Read on for information on symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options for the same.
The pineal gland is a small endocrine gland that is located in the brain. It is a small gland that is around the size of a rice grain and is a part of the epithalamus. The function of this gland is to produce serotonin, which is an important hormone that regulates the circadian rhythm of the body, i.e., the waking and sleeping patterns of a person. Pineal gland tumors are the growths that arise in this gland. This type of tumor is less common in adults as compared to children. Despite the small size of this endocrine gland, a total of seventeen types of pineal gland tumors have been reported. The most common of these types are gliomas, germ cell tumors, and pineal cell tumors. The root cause of this tumor is not yet known. Given below are the details regarding the symptoms of this tumor.
Symptoms
- Due to the location of the pineal gland, one of the main symptoms of this tumor is an increase in the intracranial pressure. This is because this gland is situated right next to the aqueduct of Sylvius, which is the passage for cerebrospinal fluid. As the tumor grows, it compresses this pathway of CSF flow, which leads to build-up of CSF in the blood, also known as hydrocephalus.
- Due to this, there may be mental clouding, inability to concentrate, visual disturbances like double vision and impaired eye movements, etc.
- This disorder of the pineal gland could also lead to systemic symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and severe headache.
Diagnosis and Treatment
It is initially difficult to reach a definitive diagnosis on the basis of the symptoms mentioned above. Hence, certain tests to check for proper functioning of the eyes, ears, etc., are conducted. Further investigations in the form of CT scans, MRI scans, angiograms, X rays, etc., can help to reach the final diagnosis of a tumor. Once the diagnosis has been made, it is important to send a sample of the tissue to the pathologist, who can establish the type of tumor present. Most cases of tumors are benign and they can be removed surgically. However, germinoma is a type of malignant tumor that may require chemotherapy for its complete treatment. In such cases, due to the delicate location of the gland, it is possible that chemotherapy or radiation therapy may affect the adjoining structures, especially the endocrine activities in the body. An endocrinologist must be consulted in these conditions because he will be the best person to decide on what course of action to take. Usually, once the tumor is treated, if any kind of severe hormonal deficiencies are noted, then they are treated with the help of hormone replacement therapy.
This was all about symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment for tumors of the pineal gland. Although these tumors are relatively rare in nature and the symptoms may be vague to reach a diagnosis, if the above given symptoms persist, then it is best to consult a doctor and get the condition diagnosed and treated at the earliest.