Novalis Shaped Beam Radiation Treatment for Craniopharyngiomas

Objective : To evaluate the effectiveness of Novalis shaped beam radiation treatment as an adjuvant treatment in patients with craniopharyngiomas. Methods : We reviewed 8 patients with craniopharyngiomas who had recurring tumors during follow-up or had residual lesions after primary surgery. Three of 8 patients were found to have recurrence after gross total excision of the tumor and 5 patents had residual lesions after subtotal resection. All patients were treated with fractionated stereotactic radiation treatment[FSRT] using Novalis system. The mean age of patients was 28 years [range $16{\sim}52$]. The median irradiation dose per fraction was 17Gy [range $1.7{\sim}2.0$]. The median fraction number was 23 [range $15{\sim}25$], and the median total dose was 39.1 Gy [range $25.5{\sim}42.5$]. Follow-up included MR imaging, and ophthalmologic and endocrine examinations. Results : The median follow-up period was 23 months [range $12{\sim}43$]. The local tumor control rate was 87.5%. One patient had a recurring tumor, in which cystic change developed 2 months after FSRT. Four patients showed a decrease in size of their tumor, while 3 patients remained stable. Seven out of 8 patients had hormonal dysfunction that remained unchanged after initial surgery. No further progression of visual impairment was observed. Conclusion : FSRT using Novais system is effective and safe for the treatment of recurring or residual craniopharyngiomas without toxicity like optic neuropathy.