Türk Nöroşirürji Dergisi 2021 , Vol 31 , Num 1
Craniopharyngioma in the Pediatric Population
Eyüp BAYATLI1,Gökmen KAHILOĞULLARI1
1Ankara Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Nöroşirürji Anabilim Dalı, Ankara, Türkiye Craniopharyngiomas are rare sellar / suprasellar tumors. Although these tumors, which can be seen in both pediatric and adult age groups, are considered benign, high morbidity rates in the long term have increased the medicopsychosocial burden of the disease. Almost all of the pediatric craniopharyngioma cases are of the adamantinomatous type. These tumors are closely adjacent to structures such as the optic apparatus, pituitary, hypothalamus, Willis polygon, and brain stem. Hypothalamic involvement significantly increases mortality and morbidity rates in such cases. Although the treatment of craniopharyngioma seems to be determined basically, it can become quite controversial in complicated cases. The need to maintain the balance between tumor control and quality of life has formed the basic rule in the treatment of this patient population. The management of craniopharyngioma patients is a challenging process and should be followed by multidisciplinary teams consisting of neurosurgeons, neurologists, oncologists, endocrinologists, and ophthalmologists. Recent developments show promise for target-based molecular therapies for inhibition of specific pathways, but further studies are needed. Anahtar Kelimeler : Craniopharyngioma, Pediatric, Sellar, Suprasellar, Surgery