Stereotactic Radiosurgery as Part of Multimodality Craniopharyngioma Management

Radiation plays an important role in the multimodal approach to the treatment of craniopharyngiomas, especially stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). Gamma Knife radiosurgery, by far the predominant form of SRS utilized in the treatment of craniopharyngiomas, has been shown to achieve good tumor control rates with low morbidity. Intracavitary irradiation with beta-emitting radionuclides is another treatment option that can be used to address the cystic component of tumors. Administered under stereotactic guidance, it is well tolerated, and can be used in combination with SRS. Multimodal craniopharyngioma management can be complex, but the availability of various radiation-based options is especially valuable as an adjunctive therapy to surgery, either after subtotal resection or at the time of tumor recurrence/progression, or in selected cases, as the primary approach.