Newly Diagnosed

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Learning more about your child’s brain tumor diagnosis will empower you to move forward and take an active part in making the best possible choices for your child's care. Here you'll find information to help you anticipate what’s needed in the first few months after your child's diagnosis.

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Pineoblastomas

Pineoblastomas are rare, high grade, fast-growing, malignant brain tumors that arise from the pineal gland. These tumors are very rare and usually malignant.

About pineoblastomas

Pineoblastoma tumors form in cells of the pineal gland and are malignant. The pineal gland is a tiny organ located deep in the brain that releases a hormone called melatonin, which controls sleep. A tumor in this location may block the flow of CSF causing hydrocephalus and may compress nearby structures causing visual problems.

Treatment includes surgery and radiation when age appropriate.

Pineoblastomas are very rare. As a group, pineal gland tumors account for less than 1% of all primary brain tumors. Pineoblastomas represent just under half of all pineal gland tumors and are fast-growing with cells that look very different from normal pineal gland cells.

Pineoblastomas are linked with inherited changes in the RB1 gene for retinoblastoma (cancer that forms in the tissues of the retina). A child with the inherited form of retinoblastoma has an increased risk of pineoblastoma.