QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:
Home | Help | Feedback | Subscriptions | Archive | Search | Table of Contents

This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (23) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Chiou, S.-M. Articles by Flickinger, J. C. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation

Stereotactic radiosurgery of residual or recurrent craniopharyngioma, after surgery, with or without radiation therapy

Department of Neurological Surgery and Radiation Oncology, Center for Image-Guided Neurosurgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

¹ Address correspondence and reprint requests to L. Dade Lunsford, Professor and Chairman, Department of Neurological Surgery, Professor of Radiology and Radiation Oncology, The University of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center-Presbyterian, Suite B-400, 200 Lothrop St., Pittsburgh, PA 15213-2582.

Abstract

This study evaluated the role of stereotactic radiosurgery in the multimodality management of craniopharyngioma patients whose prior therapies failed. Ten consecutive patients (3 males and 7 females) had radiosurgery for craniopharyngioma during a 10-year interval. Their ages ranged from 9 to 64 years (median, 14.5 years). The median interval between diagnosis and radiosurgery was 46.5 months. In total, 12 stereotactic radiosurgical procedures were performed to control the solid component of the tumor (2 intrasellar and 10 suprasellar tumors). The median tumor volume was 1.35 cm³. One to 9 isocenters with different beam diameters were used; the median marginal dose was 16.4 Gy; and the dose to the optic apparatus was limited to less than 8 Gy. Clinical and imaging follow-up data were obtained at a median of 63 months (range, 13-150 months) from radiosurgery. Overall, 7 of 12 tumors became smaller or vanished within a median of 8.5 months. Prior visual defects objectively improved in 6 patients. One patient with prior visual defect deteriorated further and lost vision 9 months after radiosurgery. Multimodality therapy is often necessary for patients with refractory solid and cystic craniopharyngiomas. Stereotactic radiosurgery is a reasonable option in select patients with small recurrent or residual craniopharyngioma.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				N. Karavitaki, S. Cudlip, C. B. T. Adams, and J. A. H. Wass Craniopharyngiomas Endocr. Rev., June 1, 2006; 27(4): 371 - 397. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]