Craniopharyngioma in adults.
Twenty-nine adults operated on for craniopharyngioma between 1970 and 1981 are described. Headache and/or endocrine symptoms often preceded the diagnosis by several years. There were 3 surgical deaths. One patient died accidentally 4 years after surgery. The 5-year survival was 5/5 after total removal, 10/11 after partial removal, 0/3 after palliative surgery; 1/1 after total removal and radiotherapy, 0/2 after partial removal and radiotherapy and 3/3 after palliative surgery and radiotherapy. Visual acuity improved in 9 of 23 patients and deteriorated in 1 patient. Visual fields improved in 8 of 21 patients and deteriorated in 7. Surgery increased the degree of hypopituitarism. Relative body weight increased greater than or equal to 10% by 3 months after surgery in 8 of 15 patients. The prognosis would probably be improved by earlier diagnosis.
Children's Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
R
R
Sorva
O
O
Heiskanen
J
J
Perheentupa
D000328:Adult; D003397:Craniopharyngioma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000175:diagnosis; D010901:Pituitary Function Tests; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014794:Visual Fields