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Radiology and Radiotherapy of Craniopharyngioma

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Basic Research and Clinical Aspects of Adamantinomatous Craniopharyngioma

Abstract

Craniopharyngioma is a histologically benign tumour commonly seen in the paediatric population. This tumour develops in the central region of the brain surrounded by several critical structures, including the optic pathway, pituitary, hypothalamus, circle of Willis, temporal lobes, and brainstem. Its central intracranial location poses a challenge to surgical resection and radiotherapy. Radiotherapy following limited surgery offers high rates of local control and long-term survival but may be associated with significant side effects. Proton therapy in this setting offers a dosimetric advantage over conventional radiotherapy because of the unique physical properties of proton particles, which deposit the dose in a narrow region called the Bragg peak before stopping. This phenomenon reduces the dose to adjacent critical structures and could translate into a reduction in late treatment-related sequelae and an improvement in survivors’ quality of life.

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Abbreviations

3D:

3-dimensional

CT:

computed tomography

CTV:

clinical target volume

GTR:

gross total resection

IMPT:

intensity-modulated proton therapy

IMRT:

intensity-modulated radiotherapy

IQ:

intelligence quotient

MRI:

magnetic resonance imaging

PFS:

progression-free survival

PTV:

planning target volume

RBE:

relative biologic effectiveness

STR:

subtotal resection

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Florida Health Proton Therapy Institute, 2015 North Jefferson St., Jacksonville, FL, USA

    Babita Jyoti, Daniel J. Indelicato, Julie A. Bradley & Ronny L. Rotondo

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  1. Babita Jyoti
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  2. Daniel J. Indelicato
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  3. Julie A. Bradley
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  4. Ronny L. Rotondo
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Correspondence to Daniel J. Indelicato .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Developmental Biology and Cancer Programme, Birth Defects Research Centre, Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom

    Juan Pedro Martinez-Barbera

  2. Craniofacial Development and Stem Cell Biology, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom

    Cynthia Lilian Andoniadou

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Jyoti, B., Indelicato, D.J., Bradley, J.A., Rotondo, R.L. (2017). Radiology and Radiotherapy of Craniopharyngioma. In: Martinez-Barbera, J., Lilian Andoniadou, C. (eds) Basic Research and Clinical Aspects of Adamantinomatous Craniopharyngioma. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-51890-9_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-51890-9_7

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