Analyses of Treatment Variables for Patients with Childhood Craniopharyngioma – Results of the Multicenter Prospective Trial KRANIOPHARYNGEOM 2000 after Three Years of Follow-Up

Abstract

Tumor recurrences/progressions are frequent and occur early after initial treatment of childhood craniopharyngioma. A radical resection preserving the integrity of hypothalamic structures appears optimal at original diagnosis. Irradiation was efficient in preventing recurrences/progressions. GH treatment had no impact on the low 3-year EFS observed in our study. However, further conclusions on the influence of GH on recurrence rates have to be refined to long-term follow-up studies of patients with childhood craniopharyngioma.