Intracystic interferon therapy in childhood craniopharyngioma: who, when and how?

Abstract

A 13-year-old male presents with fluctuating visual disturbance and headaches. Imaging reveals a significant predominantly cystic suprasellar tumour, typical of a craniopharyngioma. The patient has growth hormone deficiency but the rest of the hypothalamic/pituitary axis is intact. What are the options for therapy in 2014? Specifically, is there a role for local treatment with interferon injected into the cyst cavity? The aim of management in children with craniopharyngiomas is to reduce the impact of the tumour as much as possible, while minimising the morbidity associated with treatment. There are a number of therapeutic options available: surgery, radiotherapy and the insertion of therapeutic agents directly into the tumour cyst. The role of intracystic therapy in the form of interferon is discussed; including when to use this therapeutic option and practical details of its use.