Radiation therapy of pineal tumors.

The case histories of 58 patients irradiated for pineal tumors were reviewed to assess indications and radiotherapy techniques. The survival rates were 61% at five years and 58% at 10 years in all cases. The five-year survival rate was 85% for 21 patients with germinoma, 69% of 26 with tumors not histologically confirmed, and zero for patients with glioma and teratoma. Doses ranging from 1,500 to 1,699 rets with or without decompression definitely improve the prognosis in pineal tumors. Field size and changes in CT scans during radiotherapy are also discussed.