Radical removal of craniopharyngioma: a long-term follow-up.

Radical removal of craniopharyngiomas was attempted as the primary treatment in 12 adult and six child patients. No postoperative radiotherapy was given to patients undergoing total removal, while those undergoing subtotal removal received 50-60 Gy. Overall evaluation showed 15 cases of total removal and three of subtotal removal. One patient died of septicemia 2 months postoperatively and another developed a recurrent tumor which was removed totally at a second operation. The mean follow-up period was 7 years. The quality of life was "excellent" in 10 patients, "good" in five, and "fair" in two. Visual losses were minimized and endocrinological disturbances treated medically. These satisfactory results indicate that radical surgical removal is the first choice for treatment of craniopharyngioma irrespective of the age of patients.