Craniopharyngioma: endocrine sequelae of treatment.

Overview

Following complete surgical resection of a craniopharyngioma, combined anterior and posterior pituitary dysfunction is present in the majority of patients. Moreover, up to three-quarters of the patients will have deficits of four or more hormones. Postsurgery, obesity is common and can be part of a clinical syndrome which includes hyperphagia and normal growth despite GH deficiency. Radiotherapy with or without conservative surgery is associated with fewer endocrine disturbances. Normal growth and sexual development should be possible in most patients with the use of appropriate hormonal substitution therapy.