Longitudinal study on quality of life in 102 survivors of childhood craniopharyngioma.

Objects: We longitudinally analysed functional capacity and quality of life (QoL) in 102 patients with a childhood craniopharyngioma during follow-up.

Methods: The Fertigkeitenskala Münster-Heidelberg (FMH) ability scale was used for QoL assessment. Multivariate analysis evaluated FMH scores at various time points, examining hypothalamus involvement (HI), body mass index (BMI), degree of resection, tumour progression, relapse and irradiation.

Functional capacity and body mass index in patients with sellar masses--cross-sectional study on 403 patients diagnosed during childhood and adolescence.

Rationale: We analyzed the impact of tumour localization and histology on functional capacity (FC) and body mass index (BMI) in children with sellar masses.

Methods: FC was evaluated using the ability scale Fertigkeitenskala Münster-Heidelberg in 403 children and adolescents with sellar masses (276 craniopharyngioma, 14 germinoma, 21 optic/chiasmatic glioma, 40 hypothalamic glioma, 13 cysts of Rathke's cleft and 39 other sellar masses). Besides tumour localization, the influence of gender, irradiation and age at diagnosis and at evaluation on FC and BMI was analyzed.

Current strategies in diagnostics and endocrine treatment of patients with childhood craniopharyngioma during follow-up--recommendations in KRANIOPHARYNGEOM 2000.

Craniopharyngiomas are rare dysontogenetic malformations. As the survival rate after craniopharyngioma diagnosed during childhood and adolescence is high, prognosis and quality of life (QoL) in survivors mainly depend on adverse late effects such as hypopituitarism and obesity. Appropriate laboratory diagnostics of endocrine deficiencies and sufficient hormonal substitution have significant impact on prognosis and QoL.

Longitudinal study on growth and body mass index before and after diagnosis of childhood craniopharyngioma.

We analyzed whether childhood craniopharyngioma predisposes to obesity and growth impairment. Height/length, body mass index (BMI), and hypothalamic involvement were evaluated in 90 patients at standardized ages and time points before, after, and at the time of diagnosis. Relevant decreases in height sd score (SDS) started at 10-12 months of age and persisted until diagnosis of childhood craniopharyngioma.