Why is craniopharyngioma difficult to treat?

summary

Craniopharyngioma is a rare intracranial tumor, which is very difficult to treat. So let's share the reasons why craniopharyngioma surgery is difficult to treat?.

Why is craniopharyngioma difficult to treat?

First: craniopharyngioma is located in deep position, which is difficult to operate. The most common location of craniopharyngioma is in sellar region, which belongs to the central area of the brain, with deep position, and surrounded by the main structures such as optic nerve, internal carotid artery, anterior cerebral artery, pituitary gland, hypothalamus, etc., and craniopharyngioma often adheres to hypothalamus. If the optic nerve is damaged during the operation, it can lead to vision loss and blindness; The damage of internal carotid artery or anterior cerebral artery can cause massive hemorrhage and endanger life; Hypothalamus, pituitary damage will appear hypophysis, endocrine disorders, light cause patients with poor constitution, poor resistance, serious cases will also cause life-threatening. The difficulty of craniopharyngioma surgery is to completely remove the tumor as far as possible, to prevent tumor recurrence, and to avoid damage to the important structures around the tumor.

Second: hypopituitarism after craniopharyngioma resection is a world problem. Almost all patients with craniopharyngioma have hypopituitarism after complete resection or active resection (that is, not palliative surgery), which is manifested as polydipsia and polyuria, adrenocortical dysfunction, hypothyroidism, hypogonadism and metabolic disorders. Hormone replacement therapy after operation is an important means to ensure the safety of patients. Some patients with craniopharyngioma are in good spirits in the first two days after tumor resection, but then they have mental depression, electrolyte disorder and endocrine disorder. If they can't be treated correctly, they will be in danger of life.

Third: craniopharyngioma is easy to relapse. Although craniopharyngioma is a benign tumor, it is different from common benign tumor, with no capsule and invasive growth. Although the tumor can be completely removed under the microscope, there are still a few residual tumor cells, resulting in late tumor recurrence. Craniopharyngioma is not sensitive to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Once it relapses, the difficulty of treatment will increase.

matters needing attention

Craniopharyngioma is always closely related to life, and it has many kinds and a wide range. It affects people's life and work for a long time. The epidemic diseases in different periods are not the same, and the complications are also diverse. If you find that you may have craniopharyngioma, early treatment is the best choice.