Management of Supratentorial Tumors of the Lateral and Third Ventricles in Children

Initial Management at Presentation

• Tumor management: The initial treatment of tumors of the lateral and third ventricles is driven by the need for a secure management. This usually results in a operation as the initial treatment for the tumor. When a malignant tumor is suspected, a biopsy may be indicated, but in the majority of cases a radical resection of the tumor is attempted.
• Hydrocephalus management: Hydrocephalus is commonly found in association with tumors of the lateral and third ventricles due to obstruction of CSF flow. Ideally, the best treatment is to remove the cause; but when this is not possible in a timely enough fashion, either an EVD or a ventricular shunt is placed to drain the trapped CSF.

Adjunctive Therapies

• Tumor- and resection-dependent: The need for adjuvant therapies is a function of the both the type of tumor and the extent to which it is resected. The components of the adjuvant therapy program will depend on the tumor type and are discussed in the respective chapter about each tumor in this section of The Guide.

Follow-up

• Tumor-dependent: The frequency of follow-up visits is also a function of the type of tumor and is discussed in the respective chapter about each tumor in this section of The Guide.