CR-01MULTIDISCIPLINARY TREATMENT PRESERVED HYPOTHALAMIC-PITUITARY AXIS FUNCTION OF CRANIOPHARYNGIOMAS IN CHILDREN

Abstract

Craniopharyngioma contributes 5.6% ∼ 12% of all brain tumors in children. It located in sellar and suprasellar area with low histological grade and high survival rates. However, many patients suffered from complications lifelong. Quality of life in long-term survivors depended on sequelae such as hypothalamic dysfunction and vision impairment. In this retrospective study, we attempted to define the role of multidisciplinary treatment in craniopharyngioma as well as the long-term outcome of these patients. Medical records of 109 cases that were treated in Taipei Veterans General Hospital from April 1982 to October 2011 were reviewed. The data collected included age, gender, body weight, body height, presenting symptoms, duration of presenting symptoms to the diagnosis, treatment, complications, modalities, and recurrences. The data of 12 patients were incomplete. A total of 97 cases were available. The mean age at diagnosed was 7.7 years. These patients were followed-up for a median duration of 11.2 (range, 2 to 28) years. There were 58 males and 39 females in our series. At long term follow-up, 86% patients needed thyroxin supplement; 83% cases had diabetes insipidus; 32% patients were obesity. They were also at higher risk of having metabolic syndrome and hepatic disorders. There were 12% cases developed type 2 diabetes mellitus during follow up. In Conclusion, our Results suggest multidisciplinary treatment for hypothalamus-sparing can preserve hypothalamic-pituitary axis function in craniopharyngioma.