Molecular pathogenesis of skull base tumors.

OBJECTIVE

To review contemporary molecular biological literature related to skull base tumor biology and tumorigenesis.

DATA SOURCES: PUBMED and Ovid literature searches were performed using keyword search. Only English language articles published between 1965 and December 4, 2003 were chosen.

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: All relevant articles from the past 8 years, as well as landmark articles in years before 1995, were retrieved and reviewed.

CONCLUSION

Consistent progress is being made toward the molecular genetic and biological basis of the most common skull base tumors. An understanding of these mechanisms will aid the neurotologist in future diagnosis and management of the lesions.