Current Research

Most children with craniopharyngioma are not treated in clinical trials if surgery can be done to remove all visible tumor, or if their age does not limit the use of radiation therapy. However, research on more advanced diagnostic procedures and treatments for craniopharyngioma is ongoing. Always discuss all diagnostic and treatment options with your child’s doctor.

Different methods of giving drugs. Interferon, chemicals, or chemotherapy injected directly into the tumor cyst (if there is a large one) is being evaluated for some patients. Interferon is a type of immunotherapy. Immunotherapy (also called biologic therapy) is designed to boost the body’s natural defenses to bolster, target, or restore immune system function.

Improved methods of giving radiation therapy. For patients with a tumor that cannot be completely removed during surgery, doctors are evaluating new techniques for delivering radiation therapy. The use of three-dimensional imaging and radiation techniques allows radiation therapy to be delivered to the tumor and not to healthy brain tissue. These methods may help to reduce damage to healthy tissues.

< Previous Next >

Last Updated: December 29, 2008