Enhanced outcomes in residual or recurrent craniopharyngioma: evaluating combined gamma knife and phosphorus-32 brachytherapy

Managing residual and recurrent craniopharyngioma effectively is crucial for improving patient outcomes. This study evaluates the combined use of gamma knife and phosphorus-32 brachytherapy, offering insights into alternative, less invasive treatment strategies.

We conducted a retrospective analysis of 97 patients treated from 2010 to 2016 for residual and recurrent craniopharyngioma using gamma knife and phosphorus-32 brachytherapy. We classified these patients into three groups: superficial solid (Group A), simple cystic (Group B), and mixed cystic-solid (Group C). We assessed the treatment’s effectiveness by the tumor control rates and evaluated safety by monitoring vision, endocrine function improvements, and complication rates.

The treatment achieved complete and adequate control rates of 49.5% and 87.6%, respectively. We observed improvements in vision or visual fields in 55.1% of the patients. The morbidity rate was 15.5%. The study found no significant differences in tumor control rates among the various lesion types.

The combination of gamma knife and phosphorus-32 brachytherapy presents a viable, minimally invasive alternative for treating residual and recurrent craniopharyngioma. It offers high tumor control and functional improvement rates, suggesting its potential as a preferred strategy in some instances.