Diencephalic tumors account for a significant fraction of intracranial pediatric neoplasms. These lesions are challenging for anatomical reasons, being close to the optic pathways, the structures of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis and the circle of Willis. These neoplasms include a number of different pathological entities, the most frequent being optic pathway gliomas, craniopharyngiomas, germ cell tumors, Langerhans cell histiocytosis and pituitary adenomas.
Multimodal approach to these diseases is mandatory and includes advanced imaging, integrated pathology and molecular biology characterization, surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and target therapy when available. The best balance between these treatment modalities mainly depends on the pathological entity considered and also on the patients’ clinical history. Moreover, the prompt identification and management of the disease-related complications, including ophthalmologic, endocrine and behavioral impairment is an emerging field that aims at significantly improving the quality of life of these patients.
The aim of this Research Topic is to provide an updated overview of the most relevant diagnostic, treatment and follow-up options for tumors arising in this peculiar brain region.
The main purpose is to highlight the importance of a “function preservation-oriented” management, in the fields of diagnostics, surgery, medical treatment, and radiation strategies. It is widely accepted that diencephalic tumors should be managed as a chronic disease, providing ongoing care of pediatric patients by experienced multidisciplinary teams.
We welcome the submission of articles focusing on: a) imaging and pathology diagnosis advancements; b) clinical presentation at onset; c) treatment modalities and “function sparing” therapies; d) prognostic stratification of patients; e) neurological, metabolic and vascular complications of treatments.
Please note: manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics or computational analysis of public genomic or transcriptomic databases which are not accompanied by validation (clinical cohort or biological validation in vitro or in vivo) are out of scope for this section and will not be accepted as part of this Research Topic.
Diencephalic tumors account for a significant fraction of intracranial pediatric neoplasms. These lesions are challenging for anatomical reasons, being close to the optic pathways, the structures of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis and the circle of Willis. These neoplasms include a number of different pathological entities, the most frequent being optic pathway gliomas, craniopharyngiomas, germ cell tumors, Langerhans cell histiocytosis and pituitary adenomas.
Multimodal approach to these diseases is mandatory and includes advanced imaging, integrated pathology and molecular biology characterization, surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and target therapy when available. The best balance between these treatment modalities mainly depends on the pathological entity considered and also on the patients’ clinical history. Moreover, the prompt identification and management of the disease-related complications, including ophthalmologic, endocrine and behavioral impairment is an emerging field that aims at significantly improving the quality of life of these patients.
The aim of this Research Topic is to provide an updated overview of the most relevant diagnostic, treatment and follow-up options for tumors arising in this peculiar brain region.
The main purpose is to highlight the importance of a “function preservation-oriented” management, in the fields of diagnostics, surgery, medical treatment, and radiation strategies. It is widely accepted that diencephalic tumors should be managed as a chronic disease, providing ongoing care of pediatric patients by experienced multidisciplinary teams.
We welcome the submission of articles focusing on: a) imaging and pathology diagnosis advancements; b) clinical presentation at onset; c) treatment modalities and “function sparing” therapies; d) prognostic stratification of patients; e) neurological, metabolic and vascular complications of treatments.
Please note: manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics or computational analysis of public genomic or transcriptomic databases which are not accompanied by validation (clinical cohort or biological validation in vitro or in vivo) are out of scope for this section and will not be accepted as part of this Research Topic.