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Craniopharyngioma

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Pediatric Head and Neck Tumors

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Abstract

Craniopharyngiomas are tumors usually found in the region of the infundibulum, although they can develop anywhere along an axis from the nasopharynx to the third ventricle. They comprise approximately 5–10 % of pediatric brain tumors and present with signs and symptoms referable to their location, including visual loss, hormonal disturbances, hydrocephalus, and headache. The broad spectrum of management strategies employed in the treatment of these tumors—including surgical resection, radiation, and intratumoral delivery of chemotherapeutic agents or radioisotopes—underscores the difficulty of achieving successful cures with acceptable morbidity and has fostered considerable controversy among physicians involved in the care of children with these lesions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Edward R. Smith MD & R. Michael Scott MD

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  1. Edward R. Smith MD
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  2. R. Michael Scott MD
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Correspondence to Edward R. Smith MD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otolaryngology, Harvard Medical School Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Reza Rahbar

  2. Harvard Medica School, Dana-Farber/Boston Childrens Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Carlos Rodriguez-Galindo

  3. Department of Plastic Surgery, Harvard Medical School Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    John G. Meara

  4. Department of Neurosurgery, Harvard Medical School Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Edward R. Smith

  5. Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Antonio R. Perez-Atayde

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Smith, E., Scott, R. (2014). Craniopharyngioma. In: Rahbar, R., Rodriguez-Galindo, C., Meara, J., Smith, E., Perez-Atayde, A. (eds) Pediatric Head and Neck Tumors. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8755-5_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8755-5_13

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-8754-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-8755-5

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