Surgery for cysts

If your child's tumor is mostly a fluid-filled cyst, they may have surgery to drain it. Draining it lowers the pressure in the brain and relieves symptoms.

A surgery called a partial resection can be used to remove fluid from cystic craniopharyngiomas. Or a thin tube called a catheter can be inserted into the cyst, and a small container placed under the skin. The fluid drains into the container and is later removed.

Sometimes, after the cyst is drained, a drug is put through the catheter into the cyst. This causes the inside wall of the cyst to scar and stops the cyst from making fluid. Or it can slow down how long it takes for the fluid to build up again. Surgery to remove the tumor or radiation therapy may be done after the cyst is drained.