Pineal neoplasms and third-ventricular teratomas in Niigata (Japan) and Western Australia. A comparative study of their incidence and clinicopathological features.

It is claimed that Japan has the highest incidence of pineal neoplasms in the world. To test this hypothesis, we reviewed all pineal neoplasms and third-ventricular teratomas that were diagnosed histopathologically and treated neurosurgically over 10 years (1975-1984) in Niigata City, Japan (12 patients) and in Perth, Western Australia (9 patients). The age-standardized incidence rates per million person-years were 0.61 for Niigata and 0.70 for Western Australia; thus, the contention that Japan has the highest incidence in the world of pineal neoplasms is not confirmed.