CRAN-23. QUALITY OF LIFE AND SEXUAL FUNCTIONING IN ADULTHOOD TWO DECADES AFTER PRIMARY GROSS-TOTAL RESECTION FOR CHILDHOOD CRANIOPHARYNGIOMA

Abstract

Gross-total resection (GTR) of craniopharyngioma is associated with high rates of complications that potentially affect quality of life (QoL). This study investigated the impact of GTR on the long-term QoL and sexual functioning in young adults. 81 pediatric patients treated with primary GTR of craniopharyngioma were included in this retrospective cohort study. The Quality of Life Questionnaire SF36v1 and the Medical Outcomes Study family and sexual functioning scale were used to analyze follow-up data. 22 patients consented and completed the questionnaires. The median time of follow-up was 19 years (range 10–26). 55% of the patients reported to have excellent or very good health in general. The mean SF 36v total score was 51.63 for PCS and 49.26 for MCS. There was no significant difference between the patient cohort and the normal population. Twenty-one out of 22 subjects reported about sexual functioning, of whom 25% of women and 54% of men reported at least ‘a little of a problem’ in one or more areas of sexual functioning. Body mass index (BMI) values were: 14% normal, 41% overweight, 36% obese and 9% morbidly obese. Preoperative hypothalamic involvement and retrochiasmatic location of the tumor was significantly correlated with BMI. Young adults with childhood-onset craniopharyngioma report QoL and sexual functioning similar to that of the normal population. Overweight and obesity are more prevalent in the study population. Retrochiasmatic location of the tumor and hypothalamic involvement on the preoperative imaging correlate with higher BMI in long-term follow-up.