Craniopharyngioma: treatment by conservative surgery and radiation therapy
Nagpal, R.D.
Journal of Postgraduate Medicine 38(4): 175-180
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-3859 PMID: 1307588 Document Number: 389106
Benign neoplasms are curable only when excised. This applies even to craniopharyngiomas. The proximity of craniopharyngiomas to the hypothalamus and neurovascular structures makes total excision difficult to achieve. Over the last 3-4 decades, it has become increasingly obvious that craniopharyngiomas respond to radiation therapy. Early, unhappy results with major excisions have prompted us to adopt a policy of conservative surgery and radiation therapy to the residual tumour. Preliminary results suggest a good outcome in 35 of the 63 patients so treated from 1981. Details of the study are presented.