Pediatric Craniopharyngioma Medication

  • Author: Joseph L Lasky III, MD; Chief Editor: Robert J Arceci, MD, PhD   more...
 
Updated: Aug 11, 2010
 

Medication Summary

Drug therapy currently is not usually a component of standard care for craniopharyngioma. However, altered CNS hormone regulation may result following treatment with surgery and radiation, requiring long-term hormonal therapy. Endocrinologic consultation is recommended.

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Chemotherapeutic agents

Class Summary

Immunostimulatory therapies with interferon and intracystic/intratumoral injection of chemotherapeutic agents (eg, bleomycin) are occasionally used in cases of recurrent disease.

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Bleomycin (Blenoxane)

 

Peptide antibiotic that acts to inhibit DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis through the induction of DNA strand breaks.

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Interferon alfa 2a (Roferon-A)

 

Naturally occurring interferon alpha is normally secreted by B cells and T cells in response to viral or bacterial infection. The manufactured form (ie, interferon alpha) is a protein product manufactured using recombinant DNA technology. Mechanism of antitumor activity is not clearly understood; however, direct antiproliferative effects against malignant cells and modulation of host immune response may play important roles.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Joseph L Lasky III, MD  Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Neurosurgery, University of California, Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine; Physician Specialist, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center

Joseph L Lasky III, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for Cancer Research, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Children's Oncology Group, and Society for Neuro-Oncology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Kathleen M Sakamoto, MD, PhD  Professor and Chief, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Vice-Chair of Research, Mattel Children's Hospital at UCLA; Co-Associate Program Director of the Signal Transduction Program Area, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and California Nanosystems Institute and Molecular Biology Institute, UCLA

Kathleen M Sakamoto, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Society of Hematology, American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, International Society for Experimental Hematology, Society for Pediatric Research, and Western Society for Pediatric Research

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Jerry L Barker, Jr, MD  Staff Physician, Clinical Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Moncrief Cancer Center

Jerry L Barker, Jr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Samuel Gross, MD  Professor Emeritus, Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida; Clinical Professor, Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina; Adjunct Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University

Samuel Gross, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for Cancer Research, American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Hematology, and Society for Pediatric Research

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Mary L Windle, PharmD  Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Timothy P Cripe, MD, PhD  Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center; Clinical Director, Musculoskeletal Tumor Program, Co-Medical Director, Office for Clinical and Translational Research, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center; Director of Pilot and Collaborative Clinical and Translational Studies Core, Center for Clinical and Translational Science and Training, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine

Timothy P Cripe, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Pediatric Society, American Society of Hematology, American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, and Society for Pediatric Research

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

David Pallares, MD  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Allergy and Immunology, University of Louisville

David Pallares, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Robert J Arceci, MD, PhD  King Fahd Professor of Pediatric Oncology, Professor of Pediatrics, Oncology and the Cellular and Molecular Medicine Graduate Program, Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Robert J Arceci, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for Cancer Research, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Pediatric Society, American Society of Hematology, and American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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This MRI sequence was obtained following the intravenous administration of gadolinium contrast. Observe the relatively homogeneous and cystic mass arising from the sella turcica and extending superiorly and posteriorly with compression of normal regional structures. Note that the lesion is sharply demarcated and smoothly contoured. This fluid-filled mass is consistent with a typical craniopharyngioma.
This axial CT scan image demonstrates a cystic lesion in the typical location of a craniopharyngioma. Although most of the lesion is fluid filled, a rim of enhancing soft tissue is observed following the administration of intravenous contrast.
 
 
 
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