Extraneural metastasis of pineal tumor.

The case of an eight-year old male with a pineal tumor is reported, in which metastases occurred to extraneural organs. The pineal tumor consisted of portions of benign teratoma, malignant ependymoma and embryonal carcinoma. Only the embryonal carcinoma metastasized. The intracanial and spinal subarachnoid space alos was invaded by disseminated embryonal carcinoma. There have been seven other similar cases reported. All patients were males from five to 34 years of age.