Stereotactic Radiosurgery offers Long-term tumor control for Craniopharyngioma: a multi-institutional analysis of clinical and imaging outcomes from the International Radiosurgery Research Foundation (irrf)

Abstract

Craniopharyngioma is histologically benign yet locally aggressive, with frequent recurrence. Long-term multicenter outcomes after stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) remain incompletely defined. Methods We performed a retrospective multi-institutional cohort study through the International Radiosurgery Research Foundation including 296 patients from 13 centers. Median age at first SRS was 33.6 years. Median tumor volume was 1.32 cm³ and median margin dose was 12.0 Gy. The primary endpoint was local control (LC); secondary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Kaplan–Meier methods estimated outcomes, and Cox proportional hazards models evaluated predictors of LC. Results Actuarial 1-, 5-, and 10-year LC was 93.5%, 76.2%, and 70.1%. Actuarial 1-, 5-, and 10-year OS was 98.2%, 93.6%, and 85.2%, and PFS was 92.4%, 73.6%, and 64.8%. Mixed solid–cystic phenotype had worse LC than non-mixed tumors (log-rank p = 0.025); non-mixed phenotype remained independently associated with improved LC (HR 0.53, p = 0.026). Visual fields improved in 10%, were unchanged in 86%, and deteriorated in 4%; visual acuity improved in 6%, was unchanged in 91%, and worsened in 3%. Ten-year freedom from endocrine deterioration was 96.7%. Diabetes insipidus improved in 6.3%, worsened in 0.5% and other pituitary dysfunction was noted in 2.6%, Conclusion In this international multi-institutional experience, SRS achieved durable long-term control with favorable survival and low incidence of visual and endocrinologic dysfunction. Mixed phenotype was an important determinant of LC. Clinical trial number Not applicable.