Med.Sci 532

Structure-Function

These tumors form most commonly in the fourth ventricle and mainly affect children during the first year of life. If untreated they result in hydrocephalus and symptoms of headache, lethargy, stupor and weakness of the legs.  The tumor takes the form of a giant choroid plexus and has a cellular epithelium that is closely related to the ependyma. This form of tumor is often accompanied by hemorrhage which increases the complications of treatment.  A shunt is the most immediate form of treatment if the patient is in a condition where surgical removal of the tumor cannot be performed right away. The shunt removes the excess CSF thereby reducing the damaging affects of pressure.

Another problem that can occur with the choroid plexus is that a cyst(s) can form within it. 

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References