A history of the treatment of craniopharyngiomas

Abstract

Nearly 100 years have passed since the first surgical attempt to remove a craniopharyngioma was undertaken, and the management of patients with these tumors continues to both challenge and frustrate those involved with their treatment. By constructing a historical framework from past literature on the treatment of craniopharyngioma, the authors have attempted to document the early and important events in the treatment of these tumors in order to add a historical dimension to their current treatment and to engender a more comprehensive understanding of the modern treatment of craniopharyngioma. The application of radiotherapeutic techniques to the management of craniopharyngioma would begin to complement the role of surgery, but debate would soon emerge as to what constituted the most appropriate management for craniopharyngioma in children.