Primary pineal glioblastoma multiforme mimicking a germ cell tumour

Abstract

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is extremely rare in the pineal region, with only 19 previously reported cases. We report a unique case of a teenage girl with a pineal tumour with markedly raised beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (BHCG) levels, thought to be a germ-cell tumour. However, the raised BHCG was due to pregnancy, and biopsy revealed a pineal GBM.

Keywords:

• Glioma
• glioblastoma multiforme
• pineal region tumour

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflict of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.