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Updated: Jul 15, 2026
Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Gynecologic Cancer
Published on: April 17, 2012
Achievement of long-term local control in patients with craniopharyngiomas using high precision stereotactic
Stephanie E Combs1, Christoph Thilmann, Peter E Huber
1Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany. Combs@med.uni-heidelberg.de
Background:
The long-term outcome in patients with craniopharyngiomas treated with fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT) was evaluated.
Methods:
A total of 40 patients with craniopharyngiomas were treated between May 1989 and July 2006 with FSRT. Most patients were treated for tumor progression after surgery. A median target dose of 52.2 grays (Gy) (range, 50.4-56 Gy) was applied in a median conventional fractionation of 5 x 1.8 Gy per week. Follow-up examinations included thorough clinical assessment as well as contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging scans.
Results:
After a median follow-up of 98 months (range, 3-326 months), local control was 100% at both 5 years and 10 years. Overall survival rates at 5 years and 10 years were 97% and 89%, respectively. A complete response was observed in 4 patients and partial responses were noted in 25 patients. Eleven patients presented with stable disease during follow-up. Acute toxicity was mild in all patients. Long-term toxicity included enlargement of cysts requiring drainage 3 months after FSRT. No visual impairment, radionecrosis, or development of secondary malignancies were observed.
Conclusions:
The long-term outcome of FSRT for craniopharyngiomas is excellent with regard to local control as well as treatment-related side effects.
