Craniopharyngioma therapy: long-term effects on hypothalamic function.

BACKGROUND

Craniopharyngiomas are the most common intracranial tumor of extraneural origin in childhood.

REVIEW SUMMARY: In this review, we discuss the presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of craniopharyngioma. As the survival prognosis of patients with craniopharyngioma is quite optimistic, long-term side effects of both the tumor and its treatment are now better appreciated. Aside from well-recognized hormonal deficiencies and visual deficits related to tumor location, patients are now acknowledged to experience pathologic obesity and deficits of higher cortical function, memory, and behavior. The combination of these deficits can have profoundly detrimental effects on quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

Careful attention to issues related to hormonal balance, visual field defects, cognitive function, and mood disorders is essential to optimize long-term outcome of patients with craniopharyngioma.