[Stereotactic intratumoral irradiation of huge craniopharyngioma].

Craniopharyngioma, often with cystic diliatation, is difficult to resect radically. Fifty patients with huge craniopharyngioma (diameter of tumor was over 5 cm) treated with intratumoral irradiation of radioactive isotopes (32P and 90Y) through CT-guided Leksell stereotactic system are reported. The patients were 2 to 69 years of age with the disease of 1- to 12-year duration. Of the 50 patients, 21 had recurrent tumor after craniotomy, 29 without surgery operation before. All tumors were confirmed pathologically. The major clinical symptoms were as follows: visual field defect, headache, vomiting, diabetes insipidus, hemiplegia and growth retardation in juvenile cases. There was no death or serious complications following the treatment procedure. Partial response (> 50% reduction of tumor size on CT scanning with improvement of symptoms and signs) rate of the treatment was 82.0% at one month and 62.0% at 2 to 7 years after treatment.