Long-term tumor control after endoscopic endonasal resection of craniopharyngiomas: comparison of gross-total resection versus subtotal resection with radiation therapy

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Saniya S. Godil ◽  
Umberto Tosi ◽  
Mina Gerges ◽  
Andrew L. A. Garton ◽  
Georgiana A. Dobri ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVE Surgical management of craniopharyngiomas (CPAs) is challenging. Controversy exists regarding the optimal goals of surgery. The purpose of this study was to compare the long-term outcomes of patients who underwent gross-total resection with the outcomes of those who underwent subtotal resection of their CPA via an endoscopic endonasal approach. METHODS From a prospectively maintained database of all endoscopic endonasal approaches performed at Weill Cornell Medicine, only patients with CPAs with > 3 years of follow-up after surgery were included. The primary endpoint was radiographic progression. Data were collected on baseline demographics, imaging, endocrine function, visual function, and extent of resection. RESULTS A total of 44 patients with a mean follow-up of 5.7 ± 2.6 years were included. Of these patients, 14 (31.8%) had prior surgery. GTR was achieved in 77.3% (34/44) of all patients and 89.5% (34/38) of patients in whom it was the goal of surgery. Preoperative tumor volume < 10 cm3 was highly predictive of GTR (p < 0.001). Radiation therapy was administered within the first 3 months after surgery in 1 (2.9%) of 34 patients with GTR and 7 (70%) of 10 patients with STR (p < 0.001). The 5-year recurrence-free/progression-free survival rate was 75.0% after GTR and 25.0% after STR (45% in subgroup with STR plus radiotherapy; p < 0.001). The time to recurrence after GTR was 30.2 months versus 13 months after STR (5.8 months in subgroup with STR plus radiotherapy; p < 0.001). Patients with GTR had a lower rate of visual deterioration and higher rate of return to work or school compared with those with STR (p = 0.02). Patients with GTR compared to STR had a lower rate of CSF leakage (0.0% vs 30%, p = 0.001) but a higher rate of diabetes insipidus (85.3% vs 50%, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS GTR, which is possible to achieve in smaller tumors, resulted in improved tumor control, better visual outcome, and better functional recovery but a higher rate of diabetes insipidus compared with STR, even when the latter was supplemented with postoperative radiation therapy. GTR should be the goal of craniopharyngioma surgery, when achievable with minimal morbidity.

2019 ◽  
Vol 131 (4) ◽  
pp. 1163-1171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edgar G. Ordóñez-Rubiano ◽  
Jonathan A. Forbes ◽  
Peter F. Morgenstern ◽  
Leopold Arko ◽  
Georgiana A. Dobri ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVEGross-total resection (GTR) of craniopharyngiomas (CPs) is potentially curative and is often the goal of surgery, but endocrinopathy generally results if the stalk is sacrificed. In some cases, GTR can be attempted while still preserving the stalk; however, stalk manipulation or devascularization may cause endocrinopathy and this strategy risks leaving behind small tumor remnants that can recur.METHODSA retrospective review of a prospective cohort of patients who underwent initial resection of CP using the endoscopic endonasal approach over a period of 12 years at Weill Cornell Medical College, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, was performed. Postresection integrity of the stalk was retrospectively assessed using operative notes, videos, and postoperative MRI. Tumors were classified based on location into type I (sellar), type II (sellar-suprasellar), and type III (purely suprasellar). Pre- and postoperative endocrine function, tumor location, body mass index, rate of GTR, radiation therapy, and complications were reviewed.RESULTSA total of 54 patients who had undergone endoscopic endonasal procedures for first-time resection of CP were identified. The stalk was preserved in 33 (61%) and sacrificed in 21 (39%) patients. GTR was achieved in 24 patients (73%) with stalk preservation and 21 patients (100%) with stalk sacrifice (p = 0.007). Stalk-preservation surgery achieved GTR and maintained completely normal pituitary function in only 4 (12%) of 33 patients. Permanent postoperative diabetes insipidus was present in 16 patients (49%) with stalk preservation and in 20 patients (95%) following stalk sacrifice (p = 0.002). In the stalk-preservation group, rates of progression and radiation were higher with intentional subtotal resection or near-total resection compared to GTR (67% vs 0%, p < 0.001, and 100% vs 12.5%, p < 0.001, respectively). However, for the subgroup of patients in whom GTR was achieved, stalk preservation did not lead to significantly higher rates of recurrence (12.5%) compared with those in whom it was sacrificed (5%, p = 0.61), and stalk preservation prevented anterior pituitary insufficiency in 33% and diabetes insipidus in 50%.CONCLUSIONSWhile the decision to preserve the stalk reduces the rate of postoperative endocrinopathy by roughly 50%, nevertheless significant dysfunction of the anterior and posterior pituitary often ensues. The decision to preserve the stalk does not guarantee preserved endocrine function and comes with a higher risk of progression and need for adjuvant therapy. Nevertheless, to reduce postoperative endocrinopathy attempts should be made to preserve the stalk if GTR can be achieved.


2011 ◽  
Vol 68 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. ons90-ons94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisa J Kucia ◽  
Peter H Maughan ◽  
Udaya K Kakarla ◽  
Nicholas C Bambakidis ◽  
Robert F Spetzler

Abstract BACKGROUND: Myxopapillary ependymomas usually occur in the filum terminale of the spinal cord. OBJECTIVE: This report summarizes our experience treating myxopapillary ependymomas. METHODS: The records of 34 patients (14 men, 20 women; mean age 45.5 years; age range, 14-88 years) who underwent resection of a myxopapillary ependymoma between 1983 and 2006 were reviewed for age, sex, tumor location, symptoms at diagnosis, duration of symptoms, treatment before presentation, extent of surgical resection, adjuvant therapy, length of follow-up, evidence of recurrence, and complications. Neurological examinations performed at presentation, immediately after surgery, and last follow-up were graded according to the McCormick grading scale. RESULTS: The average duration of symptoms before diagnosis was 22.2 months. The most common symptom was pain followed by weakness, bowel/bladder symptoms, and numbness. The rate of gross total resection was 80%. All patients with a subtotal resection (20%) underwent postoperative radiation therapy. Presentation and outcomes of patients who underwent subtotal resection followed by radiation therapy were compared with those who underwent gross total resection. There was no significant difference in neurological grade between the groups at presentation or final follow-up. The overall recurrence rate was 10% (3/34 patients). CONCLUSION: The goal of surgical treatment of myxopapillary ependymomas is resection to the greatest extent possible with preservation of function. In cases of subtotal resection, postoperative radiation therapy may improve outcome. If neurological function is maintained at treatment, these indolent lesions allow years of good function.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 58 (6) ◽  
pp. 1090-1098 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fotios Tzortzidis ◽  
Foad Elahi ◽  
Donald C. Wright ◽  
Nancy Temkin ◽  
Sabareesh K. Natarajan ◽  
...  

Abstract OBJECTIVE: To evaluate patient clinical outcome and survival at long-term follow-up after aggressive microsurgical resection of chondrosarcomas of the cranial base. METHODS: Over a 20-year period, 47 patients underwent 72 operative procedures for resection of cranial base chondrosarcomas. Thirty-three patients were previously untreated, whereas 14 patients previously had undergone surgery or radiation. Twenty-three patients had a single operation and 24 underwent staged (more than one) operations because of extensive disease. Patients who underwent subtotal resection also underwent radiotherapy or radiosurgery. Patients were evaluated at follow-up clinically and by imaging studies. RESULTS: Gross total resection was accomplished in 29 (61.7%) patients, and subtotal resection was accomplished in 18 patients (38.3%). The resection was better in patients who underwent a primary operation (gross total resection, 68.8 versus 46.7%) rather than a reoperation. Patients who underwent incomplete resection underwent postoperative radiotherapy, which included proton beam radiotherapy (15.6%), radiosurgery (68%), and fractionated radiation (15.6%). There were no operative deaths. Postoperative complications (cerebrospinal fluid leakage, quadriparesis, infections, cranial nerve palsies, etc.) were observed in 10 patients (18%). The follow-up ranged from 2 to 255 months, with an average of 86 months. At the conclusion of study, 36 (76.6%) patients were alive, and 21 (44.7%) patients were alive without disease. Recurrence-free survival was 32% at 10 years in all patients, 42.3% in primary patients and 13.8% in those who underwent reoperation. The Karnofsky performance score was 82.4 ± 9.8 before surgery, 85 ± 12.5 at 1 year after surgery, and 85.3 ± 5.8 at the latest follow-up. Two patients died as a result of radiotherapy complications (malignancy, radiation necrosis). CONCLUSION: Cranial base chondrosarcomas can be managed well by complete surgical resection or by a combination of surgery and radiotherapy. The study cannot comment about the efficacy of radiotherapy. Approximately half of the patients survived without recurrence at long-term follow-up (&gt;132 mo). The functional status of the surviving patients was excellent at follow-up.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 77 (4) ◽  
pp. 585-593 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte Marie Halvorsen ◽  
Pål Rønning ◽  
John Hald ◽  
Tom Børge Johannesen ◽  
Frode Kolstad ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND: The existing literature on recurrence rates and long-term clinical outcome after resection of intraspinal nerve sheath tumors is limited. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate progression-free survival, overall survival, and long-term clinical outcome in a consecutive series of 131 patients with symptomatic intraspinal nerve sheath tumors. METHODS: Medical charts were retrospectively reviewed. Surviving patients voluntarily participated in a clinical history and physical examination that focused on neurological function and current tumor status. RESULTS: Follow-up data are 100% complete; median follow-up time was 6.1 years. All patients (100%) had surgery as the first line of treatment; gross total resection was performed in 112 patients (85.5%) and subtotal resection in 19 patients (14.5%). Five-year progression-free survival was 89%. The following risk factors for recurrence were identified: neurofibroma, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor, subtotal resection, neurofibromatoses/schwannomatosis, and advancing age at diagnosis. More than 95% of patients had neurological function compatible with an independent life at follow-up. The rate of tumor recurrence in nonneurofibromatosis patients undergoing total resection of a single schwannoma was 3% (3/93), in comparison with a recurrence rate of 32% (12/38) in the remaining patients. CONCLUSION: Gross total resection is the gold standard treatment for patients with intraspinal nerve sheath tumors. In a time of limited health care resources, we recommend that follow-up be focused on the subgroup of patients with a high risk of recurrence. The benefit of long-term, yearly magnetic resonance imaging follow-up with respect to recurrence in nonneurofibromatosis patients undergoing gross total resection of a single schwannoma is, in our opinion, questionable.


2011 ◽  
Vol 68 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. ons57-ons63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisa J Kucia ◽  
Nicholas C Bambakidis ◽  
Steve W Chang ◽  
Robert F Spetzler

Abstract BACKGROUND: Intramedullary spinal ependymomas are rare tumors. OBJECTIVE: To provide a large retrospective review in the modern neuroimaging era from a tertiary center where aggressive surgical resection is favored. METHODS: Charts of intramedullary spinal ependymomas treated between 1983 and 2006 were reviewed. RESULTS: Sixty-seven cases were reviewed. The mean age was 45.6 years (range, 11-78 years) with a male-to-female ratio of 2:1. The most common location was the cervical spine, followed by the thoracic and lumbar spine. The average duration of symptoms was 33 months, with the most common symptom being pain and/or dysesthesias, followed by weakness, numbness, and urinary or sexual symptoms. Gross total resection was achieved in 55 patients and a subtotal resection was performed in 12 patients; 9 patients were treated with adjuvant radiation therapy. Mean follow-up was 32 months. The mean McCormick neurological grade at last follow-up was 2.0. The preoperative outcome correlated significantly with postoperative outcome (P &lt; .001). A significant number of patients who initially worsened improved at their 3-month follow-up examination. Outcomes were significantly worse in patients undergoing subtotal resection with or without radiation therapy (P &lt; .05). There were 3 recurrences. The overall complication rate was 34%. The primary complications were wound infections or cerebrospinal fluid leaks. CONCLUSION: Spinal cord ependymomas are difficult lesions to treat. Aggressive surgical resection is associated with a high overall complication rate. However, when gross total resection can be achieved, overall outcomes are excellent and the recurrence rate is low.


2011 ◽  
Vol 114 (5) ◽  
pp. 1241-1249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soichi Oya ◽  
Burak Sade ◽  
Joung H. Lee

Object The aim of this study was to describe the surgical technique used for removal of sphenoorbital meningiomas in the authors' practice and to review the operative outcome. Methods Review of the senior author's practice between 1994 and 2009 revealed 39 patients (mean age 48 years) eligible for this study. Clinical presentation, surgical technique, postoperative outcome, and follow-up data are presented. Surgical technique is detailed, with an emphasis on aggressive removal consisting of drilling of the hypertrophied sphenoid bone, orbital wall, and anterior clinoid process, followed by tumor removal and a wide resection of the involved dura. A simple dural closure without reconstruction of the orbital roof or the lateral wall of the orbit is also described. Results Gross-total resection was achieved in 15 cases (38.5%), near-total resection with small residual in the cavernous sinus or periorbita in 20 cases (51.3%), and subtotal resection in 4 cases (10.3%). Postoperative complications included trigeminal hypesthesia in 9 patients, oculomotor palsy in 3 patients, and seizure in 2 patients. Seven patients had recurrence within the mean follow-up period of 40.7 months. Preoperative visual deficits were present in 21 patients (53.8%). Of these, 14 (66.7%) experienced visual recovery to normal levels postoperatively. Statistical analyses revealed preoperative severe visual deficit and sphenoid bone hypertrophy as an independent risk factor and an independent favorable factor, respectively, for a favorable visual outcome. Proptosis was resolved (≤ 2 mm) in 73.5% of the authors' patients. No patient had postoperative enophthalmos. Conclusions In the authors' practice, surgery for sphenoorbital meningiomas consists of resection of the orbital/sphenoid intraosseous, intraorbital, and intradural tumor components. The authors believe that aggressive removal of the orbital/sphenoid intraosseous tumor is critical for a favorable visual outcome and tumor control. Furthermore, satisfactory cosmetic results can be achieved with simple reconstruction techniques as described.


2010 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. E10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin N. Kiehna ◽  
Thomas E. Merchant

Object The treatment of craniopharyngioma is highly controversial. Continued advances in limited surgery and radiation therapy have maintained excellent local disease control while minimizing treatment-related sequelae. Further analyses of outcomes are necessary to characterize the long-term effects of radiation therapy. Methods An extensive literature review was performed for all studies including radiation therapy, with or without surgery, for pediatric craniopharyngioma. Results The authors identified 32 papers describing radiation therapy for treatment of pediatric craniopharyngioma, with disease control ranging from 44 to 100%. Modern studies report at least 90% disease control with 5-year follow-up. Fifteen studies reported outcomes, demonstrating that more than two-thirds of patients treated with surgery and radiation therapy have favorable outcomes, and this rate is more than 85% in the modern era. Conclusions Conservative surgery and radiation therapy results in long-term disease control in pediatric patients with craniopharyngioma that is comparable to results obtained with radical surgery alone. However, children with craniopharyngioma remain vulnerable to late treatment failures and side effects from radiation therapy, including endocrinopathies, vasculopathies, and secondary tumors, which may be detrimental to the quality of life. Long-term follow-up beyond 5–10 years is necessary to assess tumor control relative to functional outcomes.


2013 ◽  
Vol 119 (2) ◽  
pp. 475-481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas A. Hardesty ◽  
Andrew B. Wolf ◽  
David G. Brachman ◽  
Heyoung L. McBride ◽  
Emad Youssef ◽  
...  

Object Patients with atypical meningioma often undergo gross-total resection (GTR) at initial presentation, but the role of adjuvant radiation therapy remains unclear. The increasing prevalence of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) in the modern neurosurgical era has led to the use of routine postoperative radiation therapy in the absence of evidence-based guidelines. This study sought to define the long-term recurrence rate of atypical meningiomas and identify the value of SRS in affecting outcome. Methods The authors identified 228 patients with microsurgically treated atypical meningiomas who underwent a total of 257 resections at the Barrow Neurological Institute over the last 20 years. Atypical meningiomas were diagnosed according to current WHO criteria. Clinical and radiographic data were collected retrospectively. Results Median clinical and radiographic follow-up was 52 months. Gross-total resection, defined as Simpson Grade I or II resection, was achieved in 149 patients (58%). The median proliferative index was 6.9% (range 0.4%–20.6%). Overall 51 patients (22%) demonstrated tumor recurrence at a median of 20.2 months postoperatively. Seventy-one patients (31%) underwent adjuvant radiation postoperatively, with 32 patients (14%) receiving adjuvant SRS and 39 patients (17%) receiving adjuvant intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). The recurrence rate for patients receiving SRS was 25% (8/32) and for IMRT was 18% (7/39), which was not significantly different from the overall group. Gross-total resection was predictive of progression-free survival (PFS; relative risk 0.255, p < 0.0001), but postoperative SRS was not associated with improved PFS in all patients or in only those with subtotal resections. Conclusions Atypical meningiomas are increasingly irradiated, even after complete or near-complete microsurgical resection. This analysis of the largest patient series to date suggests that close observation remains reasonable in the setting of aggressive microsurgical resection. Although postoperative adjuvant SRS did not significantly affect tumor recurrence rates in this experience, a larger cohort study with longer follow-up may reveal a therapeutic benefit in the future.


2010 ◽  
Vol 113 (5) ◽  
pp. 1087-1092 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael E. Sughrue ◽  
Martin J. Rutkowski ◽  
Derick Aranda ◽  
Igor J. Barani ◽  
Michael W. McDermott ◽  
...  

Object Although there is a considerable volume of literature available on the treatment of patients with cavernous sinus meningiomas (CSMs), most of the data regarding tumor control and survival come from case studies or single-institution series. The authors performed a meta-analysis of reported tumor control and survival rates of patients described in the published literature, with an emphasis on specific prognostic factors. Methods The authors systematically analyzed the published literature and found more than 3000 patients treated for CSMs. Separate meta-analyses were performed to calculate pooled rates of recurrence and cranial neuropathy after 1) gross-total resection, 2) subtotal resection without adjuvant postoperative radiotherapy or radiosurgery, and 3) stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) alone. Results were expressed as pooled proportions, and random-effects models were used to incorporate any heterogeneity present to generate a pooled proportion. Individual studies were weighted using the inverse variance method, and 95% CIs for each group were calculated from the pooled proportions. Results A total of 2065 nonduplicated patients treated for CSM met inclusion criteria for the analysis. Comparisons of the 95% CIs for recurrence of these 3 cohorts revealed that SRS-treated patients experienced improved rates of recurrence (3.2% [95% CI 1.9–4.5%]) compared with either gross-total resection (11.8% [95% CI 7.4–16.1%]) or subtotal resection alone (11.1% [95% CI 6.6–15.7%]) (p < 0.01). The authors found that the pooled mixed-effects rate of cranial neuropathy was markedly higher in patients undergoing resection (59.6% [95% CI 50.3–67.5%]) than for those undergoing SRS alone (25.7% [95% CI 11.5–38.9%]) (p < 0.05). Conclusions Radiosurgery provided improved rates of tumor control compared with surgery alone, regardless of the subjective extent of resection.


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