Interferon-alfa in the management of cystic craniopharyngioma in children under 5 years of age

Abstract

Introduction: the best therapeutic option for the management of craniopharyngioma in younger children remains controversial, ranging from complete surgical resection, partial surgical resection associated with radiotherapy and application of chemotherapeutic agents such as bleomycin and interferon-alfa. Objective: to verify the response to treatment with interferon-alfa via Ommaya reservoir in a group of children under 5 years of age with diagnosis of cystic craniopharyngioma. Methods: description of a case series through consecutive review of medical records of children under 5 years of age diagnosed with cystic adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma who had an Ommaya reservoir catheter surgically implanted for intratumoral application of interferon-?. Results: seven children aged 18 to 60 months (median 46 months) with the abovementioned diagnosis and treated with interferon-alfa between 2010 and 2019, according to a pre-established protocol, were identified. A reduction in tumor volume, ranging from 88 to 100%, one year after the end of treatment was observed in the study sample. There were no complications that justified the interruption or modification of the established therapy. Conclusion: in all the cases evaluated of children less than 5 years of age with predominantly cystic adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma we observed a reduction of tumor volume on magnetic resonance imaging one year after the end of treatment with interferon-alfa.

Keywords

• neurosurgery
• pharmacological treatment
• chemotherapy
• brain tumors