Treatment

To take advantage of special expertise necessary to treat brain tumors, all children with brain tumors should be treated at a specialized pediatric center. Doctors at these centers have extensive experience in treating children with brain tumors and have access to the latest technology. Many times, a team of doctors treats a child with craniopharyngioma. Pediatric treatment centers often have extra support services for children and their families, such as nurse specialists, nutritionists, and social workers. Special activities for kids with cancer may also be available.

The type of treatment used depends on whether the tumor can be completely removed by surgery. If the tumor cannot be completely removed, radiation therapy is usually recommended. However, the side effects of radiation therapy must be considered when deciding on the best treatment for very young children, because it can cause age-related permanent learning and memory problems as well as lower levels of necessary hormones.

Surgery

Surgery is the most common treatment for craniopharyngioma. The goal of surgery is to confirm the diagnosis and completely remove the tumor, if possible.

Sometimes, the tumor may involve the optic chiasm (the area of the brain that controls vision) or involve major blood vessels, making removal of the tumor difficult. Depending on where the tumor is located, surgery may damage parts of the brain near the tumor, affecting hormone function, vision, arm and leg movement, or consciousness. Some tumors cannot be completely removed because of their location. These tumors are called inoperable. Complete removal of craniopharyngioma is possible for about 70% to 85% of patients.

Research studies have shown that people treated with partial resection (partial removal; where visible tumor is left behind after surgery) followed by radiation therapy have survival rates similar to those who had a complete removal of the tumor, with fewer side effects, such as stroke, hemorrhage (severe bleeding), or damage to the hypothalamus (a small structure above the pituitary gland that regulates the pituitary gland and many other body functions).

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy x-rays or other particles to kill tumor cells. The most common type of radiation treatment is called external-beam radiation therapy, which is radiation given from a machine outside the body. Because radiation therapy can interfere with the normal growth and development of a child’s brain, advanced treatment planning techniques should be used to reduce the amount of radiation to the areas of the brain not affected by the tumor.

Radiosurgery is a way to deliver a single, high dose of radiation therapy to the tumor and not to other areas of the brain. This technique requires a head frame to help to localize the tumor, so doctors know exactly where to deliver the radiation treatment.

Side effects from radiation therapy may include fatigue, mild skin reactions, upset stomach, and loose bowel movements. These side effects go away soon after treatment is finished. More permanent side effects include hair loss, learning differences, low hormone levels, weight gain, and memory problems.

To learn about the terms used in this section, read the Cancer.Net Feature: Cancer Terms to Know: During Treatment.