Late effects associated with treatment of craniopharyngiomas in childhood

Craniopharyngiomas are the most common pediatric suprasellar tumor. They are clinically slow growing tumors whose primary treatment is surgical resection. Because of their location in the brain, craniopharyngiomas are associated with both acute and chronic problems including endocrinopathies and visual, neuropsychological and psychosocial dysfunctions. Fifteen patients and families of children operated upon at New York University Medical Center over the past twenty years indicated through interviews that all had significant sequelae associated with their illness. Nursing management of these problems during the acute and chronic phases of the illness will be discussed.