Endodermal sinus tumor of the pineal region: case report and review of literature.

This is a case report of an endodermal sinus tumor occurring in the pineal region of a 14-year-old boy who died 4 weeks after surgery and irradiation. Germ cell tumors of this type demonstrate a selective overgrowth of yolk sac endoderm associated with extraembryonic mesoblast and arise preferentially in the gonads of young children. This tumor in the pineal region is rare and carries a grave prognosis as in other extragonadal sites. A summary of previously reported cases is also presented.