Craniopharyngiomas: Challenges and Controversies

World Neurosurg. 2020 Oct:142:593-600. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2020.05.172.

Abstract

Despite its benign histopathology, the treatment of craniopharyngioma remains one of the most formidable challenges faced by skull base surgeons. The technical challenges of tackling these complex central skull base lesions are paralleled by clinical challenges related to their unique tumor biology and the often-complex decision making required. In this article, we critically appraise the most recent literature to explore the challenges and controversies surrounding the management of these lesions. The role of curative resections and the shift in the surgical paradigm toward the multidisciplinary goal-directed management approach are discussed.

Keywords: Challenges; Craniopharyngioma; Goal-directed management; Management; Recurrence.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Craniopharyngioma / genetics
  • Craniopharyngioma / pathology
  • Craniopharyngioma / physiopathology
  • Craniopharyngioma / surgery*
  • Diabetes Insipidus / epidemiology*
  • Diabetes Insipidus / therapy
  • Genomics
  • Hormone Replacement Therapy
  • Humans
  • Hypopituitarism / drug therapy
  • Hypopituitarism / epidemiology*
  • Hypopituitarism / physiopathology
  • Hypothalamic Diseases / complications
  • Hypothalamic Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Mortality
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
  • Neurosurgical Procedures / methods*
  • Obesity / epidemiology*
  • Obesity / etiology
  • Patient Care Planning
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / genetics
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / pathology
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / physiopathology
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Postoperative Complications / epidemiology*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf / genetics
  • Vision Disorders / physiopathology
  • beta Catenin / genetics

Substances

  • CTNNB1 protein, human
  • beta Catenin
  • BRAF protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf