Because of their intracranial location and the treatment used for these tumors, craniopharyngiomas may cause acute and long-term morbidity.

Immediate outcome following initial treatment is largely determined by preoperative status, age of the patient, size of the tumor, and aggressiveness of surgical resection. Younger children and infants often have the largest tumors, which are the most difficult to remove surgically. Postoperative mortality is in the range of 0% to 2% when radical surgery is undertaken, and it is the result of intraoperative hemorrhage or hypothalamic damage.[1] Postoperative mortality and outcome are also related to experience of the surgeon.

Quality-of-life issues are important in this group of patients, and are difficult to assess due to various treatment modalities. Whereas intelligence quotient is usually maintained, behavioral issues and memory deficits attributed to the frontal lobe and hypothalamus are common, and occur in about 13% to 55% of patients in various series.[2] Other common problems include visual loss, obesity, and the almost universal need for life-long endocrine replacement with multiple pituitary hormones.

(For more information, refer to the PDQ Late Effects of Treatment for Childhood Cancer summary for specific information about the incidence, type, and monitoring of late effects in childhood and adolescent cancer survivors.)

References

1. Yaşargil MG, Curcic M, Kis M, et al.: Total removal of craniopharyngiomas. Approaches and long-term results in 144 patients. J Neurosurg 73 (1): 3-11, 1990.  [PUBMED Abstract]
   
   
2. Hoffman HJ, De Silva M, Humphreys RP, et al.: Aggressive surgical management of craniopharyngiomas in children. J Neurosurg 76 (1): 47-52, 1992.  [PUBMED Abstract]
   
   

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