Primary pineal embryonal carcinoma occurring in a middle aged man

A case of a primary pineal embryonal carcinoma occurring in a middle aged man is reported. A 42-year-old man suffering from headache and nausea was referred to our department. A neurological examination revealed that he had Parinaud's sign. Head CT and MRI showed a tumor in the pineal region. He was operated on using the occipital trans-tentorial approach. The tumor was partially removed and an intra-operative specimen was used to diagnose a kind of germ cell line tumor. However, the tumor was diagnosed afterwards as a pure embryonal carcinoma. Three courses of PE chemotherapy followed by 30 Gy of whole craniospinal irradiation and 30 Gy of extended local irradiation were completed. An MRI showed the tumor to be in complete remission. Despite careful follow-up with chemotherapy every three months, a re-operation and linac radio-surgery, the tumor recurred, and disseminated. The patient died due to an intra-tumoral hemorrhage. A pure primary pineal embryonal carcinoma occurring in a middle-aged person has never been reported previously in detail.