Radiation therapy of craniopharyngioma

The histories of 32 patients with craniopharygioma who had received radiotherapy after surgery were reviewed to assess the effect and adequacy of the radiation dose. The survival rates were 69% at 5 years and 60% at 10 years in all cases, but depended markedly on sex and age. Symptomatic improvement and histological changes in the irradiated tumor are also discussed. Radiation therapy with a dose ranging from 5500 to 6000 rads (approximately 1700 rets) after the first surgical intervention definitely improves the prognosis.