Creative and Innovative Methods and Techniques for the Challenges in the Management of Adult Craniopharyngioma

World Neurosurg. 2020 Oct:142:601-610. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2020.05.173.

Abstract

Craniopharyngioma remains a major challenge in daily clinical practice. The pathobiology of the tumor is still elusive, and there are no consensus or treatment guidelines on the optimal management strategy for this relatively rare tumor. However, recent technical and scientific advances, including genomic and radiomic profiling, innovation in surgical approaches, more precise radiotherapy protocols, targeted therapy, and restoration of lost functions all have the potential to significantly improve the outcome of patients with craniopharyngioma in the near future. Although many of these innovative tools in the new armamentarium of the clinician are still in their infancy, they could reduce craniopharyngioma-related morbidity and mortality and improve the patients' quality of life. In this article, we discuss these creative and innovative approaches that may offer solutions to the obstacles faced in treating craniopharyngioma and future possibilities in improving the care of these patients.

Keywords: Craniopharyngioma; Innovation; Neoadjuvant; New technique; Radiation; Targeted therapy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / therapeutic use
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid / cytology
  • Craniopharyngioma / diagnosis
  • Craniopharyngioma / pathology
  • Craniopharyngioma / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Hypothalamic Diseases / complications
  • Inventions
  • Liquid Biopsy
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Molecular Diagnostic Techniques
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Neuroendoscopy
  • Neurosurgical Procedures
  • Obesity / drug therapy
  • Obesity / etiology
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / pathology
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Radiotherapy
  • Tissue Engineering

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological