treatment
Last reviewed 01/2018
Many options are available for the treatment of craniopharyngioma. More aggressive regimes are associated with lower recurrence rates but higher risks. Options in ascending order of risk include:
- drainage of the cystic areas followed by either external irradiation or implantation of radioactive Yttrium-90
- partial removal of tumour followed by radiotherapy - associated recurrence rate of 30-50%, or 90% without radiotherapy
- total tumour excision with radiotherapy if recurrence - main risk is of removal of hypothalamus. Recurrence rates are low but there is a 0 - 10% mortality.