Question 1

how do you tell the difference between a pineal tumor and a pineal cyst?

Accepted Answer

A biopsy or imaging: True pineal gland cysts are not brain tumors; rather, they are a completely benign cysts. The large majority of pineal gland cysts do not enlarge much if at all. However, some do enlarge over time slowly. Even though pineal cysts are benign and usually harmless, they can mimic a tumor, they often need to be distinguished from other cystic tumors via biopsies or imaging study (ie MRI of the brain).

Question 2

what are the differences between a pineal cyst and tumor?

Accepted Answer

Pineal cyst or tumor: Pineal cyst is a non-neoplastic glial cyst within the pineal gland.  Pineal tumor is usually neoplastic, benign or malignant.

Question 3

is a pineal cyst of  0.7x1.0 x1.0 cm very large? and can they shrink on there own? how can they tell if it is a cyst or tumor? cause of zig zag vision

Accepted Answer

Pineal cyst: It is not big. It is probably benign and can be evaluated by mri.Usually they don't shrink . This size cyst should not cause any visual problems

Question 4

who does pineal tumor brain surgery?

Accepted Answer

Neurosurgeon: Most neurosurgeons can do this surgery.  Depending on the size of the pineal tumor, you may want to call around to different universities or large medical centers and ask if there is a neurosurgeon who does endoscopic surgery and may do your tumor.  But any neurosurgeon can give you the proper consultation.

Question 5

what is a pineal tumor?

Accepted Answer

A brain tumor: A pineal tumor is an abnormal growth in the pineal gland, which is in the center of the brain.  It can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancer).  Even benign pineal tumors may cause severe symptoms like vision loss, headaches, and hormone problems due to the location.

Question 6

i had a 1.5 centimeter pineal tumor removed a week ago. my question is why does a lot of neurosurgeons at great university hospitals not help me?

Accepted Answer

Please see below.: Getting to the pineal region surgically can be very challenging and often risky. Sometimes it can be done minimally invasively via  endoscopic techniques. This would explain why many neurosurgeons were reluctant to operate. If you had this surgery a week ago and you're good enough neurologically to be typing questions online you're doing great.

Question 7

hi dr. what is the difference between a simple pineal cyst and a complex pineal cyst. looks like my mri showed a 1.3 cm complex pineal cyst. thank you?

Accepted Answer

Liquid vs other stuf: A simple cyst generally contains only fluid. A complex cyst is a sac that contains mostly fluid (liquid) but also some material - cells / tissue or colloid or something solid - inside. That solid material makes its appearance different than just a fluid-filled sac. Larger (&gt; 1cm) cysts in the pineal gland can't be distinguished from cystic tumors &amp; so repeated scans are generally the rule. TTYD.

Question 8

benign pineal gland cyst cause?

Accepted Answer

Pineal gland cyst: Pineal gland cysts are not at all uncommon. As long as the mr is not showing any tumor characteristics which it sounds like is the case here here. These cysts can also cause obstructive hydrocephalus but they would have seen that on mri.

Question 9

is a 2 cm x 1cm pineal gland cyst considered large?

Accepted Answer

Pineal cyst: A pineal cyst generally is about 1 cm so by that standard yours is a little big they generally stay stable in size consider neurologist for proper management.

Question 10

what to do if i have a pineal gland cyst, should i be worried?

Accepted Answer

Cyst: You are obviously concerned about this and I would encourage you to go on-line and look for "pineal gland cyst". This may relieve your concern.

If not, please next see the doctor who made that diagnosis. If that doesn't work your doctor would likely refer you to a specialist.

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Doctor answers about:

How do you tell the difference between a pineal tumor and a pineal cyst

A member asked:

How do you tell the difference between a pineal tumor and a pineal cyst?

A member asked:

What are the differences between a pineal cyst and tumor?

A member asked:

Is a pineal cyst of 0.7x1.0 x1.0 cm very large? and can they shrink on there own? how can they tell if it is a cyst or tumor? cause of zig zag vision

A member asked:

Who does pineal tumor brain surgery?

A member asked:

What is a pineal tumor?

A member asked:

I had a 1.5 centimeter pineal tumor removed a week ago. my question is why does a lot of neurosurgeons at great university hospitals not help me?

A member asked:

Hi dr. what is the difference between a simple pineal cyst and a complex pineal cyst. looks like my mri showed a 1.3 cm complex pineal cyst. thank you?

A member asked:

Benign pineal gland cyst cause?

A member asked:

Is a 2 cm x 1cm pineal gland cyst considered large?

A member asked:

What to do if i have a pineal gland cyst, should i be worried?

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