Response assessment in pediatric craniopharyngioma: recommendations from the Response Assessment in Pediatric Neuro-Oncology (RAPNO) Working Group.

Background: Craniopharyngioma is a histologically benign tumor of the suprasellar region for which survival is excellent but quality of life is often poor secondary to functional deficits from tumor and treatment. Standard therapy consists of maximal safe resection with or without radiation therapy. Few prospective trials have been performed, and response assessment has not been standardized.

Methods: The Response Assessment in Pediatric Neuro-Oncology (RAPNO) committee devised consensus guidelines to assess craniopharyngioma response prospectively.

Results: Magnetic resonance imaging is the recommended radiologic modality for baseline and follow-up assessments. Radiologic response is defined by 2-dimensional measurements of both solid and cystic tumor components. In certain clinical contexts, response to solid and cystic disease may be differentially considered based on their unique natural histories and responses to treatment. Importantly, the committee incorporated functional endpoints related to neuro-endocrine and visual assessments into craniopharyngioma response definitions. In most circumstances, the cystic disease should be considered progressive only if growth is associated with acute, new-onset or progressive functional impairment.

Conclusions: Craniopharyngioma is a common pediatric central nervous system tumor for which standardized response parameters have not been defined. A RAPNO committee devised guidelines for craniopharyngioma assessment to uniformly define response in future prospective trials.