How are sellar region tumors classified? Several common sellar area tumors

Speaking of the word sellar area, I believe many of you do not know that this is a part of the body. In fact, it is the central sphenoidal gland in the brain and its surrounding parts. Due to its deep location and the complex surrounding conditions, the sellar area is also a common site for brain tumors. Due to the special location, treatment is somewhat difficult, but don’t worry, with the rapid development of medical technology, this is not an incurable disease. Moreover, tumors are divided into benign and malignant. Besides, it also depends on the size and other aspects. So what are the common types of sellar area tumors? And what are the symptoms? How to treat it? For the sake of health, it is very necessary to understand this aspect.

Common tumors in the sellar region

Most sellar tumors are benign, and a few are malignant. Pituitary adenoma, craniopharyngioma and sellar meningioma are the most common tumors in the sellar region. Clinically, there are obvious differences in the symptom characteristics of patients due to the different sizes and locations of tumors. Generally, the larger the tumor and the more important the tissue compression, the more obvious the clinical symptoms.

1. Pituitary adenoma: Pituitary adenoma is the most common sellar region tumor in adult patients. Its clinical manifestations can be divided into two categories: endocrine symptoms and peripheral nerve compression symptoms. Treatment is determined by the clinical grade of the tumor. Pituitary adenomas below grade 3 can be treated with drugs or stereotactic radiotherapy, but tumors above grade 3 have already compressed the optic nerve or optic chiasm and must be treated with microsurgery, followed by radiotherapy. Under current technology and conditions, the complete resection rate of pituitary adenomas can reach 85%-94%. With the continuous improvement of treatment technology, the cure rate of pituitary adenomas is also gradually increasing.

2. Craniopharyngioma: Craniopharyngioma is another common sellar region tumor in adults, but it is a common congenital tumor in children, ranking first among sellar region tumors. Since the tumors are mostly located below the optic chiasm and easily invade the cavernous sinus, internal carotid artery, and even protrude into the third ventricle or interpeduncular fossa, it is difficult to completely remove the tumor surgically and there are many postoperative complications. With the improvement of surgical approaches and surgical techniques, especially the adoption of Yasargil's view on cistern fiber anatomy, as well as advances in hormone replacement therapy and postoperative monitoring, the complete resection rate has reached about 90%, and the postoperative recovery rate is very high.

3. Sellar meningioma: Sellar meningioma is also a common sellar tumor, mainly including suprasellar meningioma and medial sphenoid ridge meningioma. Suprasellar meningiomas include those arising from the tuberculum sellae, anterior clinoid process, diaphragm sellae, and sphenoid platform.