Radiation therapy in craniopharyngiomas.
Eighteen patients with cranipharyngiomas, who were studied and treated between 1970-1980, are presented. Each patient was treated with surgery and radiotherapy (50-60 Gy). Six patients were treated with radiotherapy because the tumor recurred after surgery. An extensive representation of the clinical symptomatology typical of this tumor was seen. In 3 patients an improvement in visual symptoms was demonstrated; in 11 the headaches and vomiting were controlled after treatment. The 18 treated patients are still alive without evidence of progression of the tumor, after a period of 2 to 12 years. Our experience supports the contention that conservative surgery coupled with radical radiotherapy remains the treatment of choice for the craniopharyngioma.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003397:Craniopharyngioma / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D003399:Craniotomy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery