[Craniopharyngioma: experience with combined operative and radiotherapy and problems of hormone substitution (author's transl)].

Craniopharyngioma, primarily a benign tumour, is associated with a variety of serious problems due to tumour localization. Access to the tumour during surgery is difficult and total resection can rarely be achieved. Growth of the remaining tumour continues and symptoms of increased intracranial pressure, further visual field loss and hormonal disturbances reappear. However, conservative operation in conjunction with radical irradiation shows good results as regards tumour regression and survival with satisfactory quality of life. Irradiation with 50 Gy on average was performed in 5 out of 6 children with remaining tumour or tumour recurrence, and satisfactory results were obtained. In all cases tumour size regressed. Endocrine disturbances could be ascertained by the combined LHRH-TRH-insulin test and the clinical picture. In nearly every case there was finally a complete lack of hormones of the pituitary-hypothalamic axis. Substitution of various hormones became necessary in all cases. Meticulous surveillance of children still undergoing developmental maturation is mandatory. All six children are well and lead a nearly normal life.