Craniopharyngioma
Pediatric craniopharyngioma is a histologically benign neoplasm with potential for malignant clinical behavior. Presenting vision and endocrine deficits are common, and the natural history carries unacceptable morbidity, including blindness, complete hypothalamic and pituitary dysfunction, and death. The goal of initial treatment for craniopharyngioma in the pediatric population should be permanent tumor control or cure in order to minimize morbidity from recurrent and progressive disease. Treatment-related morbidity is acute with surgical intervention and requires immediate postoperative endocrinological care. Radiotherapy is associated with delayed treatment morbidity, and long-term monitoring is critical. Inadequate tumor control after initial treatment will result in inevitable recurrence, with more complex and less effective treatment options and higher associated treatment morbidity. Unexpected intraoperative complications can be avoided with careful preoperative planning and good surgical technique.