The medical records and histological specimens from 26 patients with choroid plexus papillomas operated on at one institution were reviewed retrospectively. Four patients died perioperatively, and 21 of the remaining 22 patients were followed through March, 1986; the patient lost to follow-up review was last seen 14 years postoperatively. Of the 14 patients who underwent gross total removal of their tumor, one had a recurrence at 11 years postoperatively and two died in the perioperative period. Of the 12 patients who underwent subtotal removal of their tumor, two died in the perioperative period. The two patients who did not have radiation therapy postoperatively are free of apparent disease at 6 and 8 years after their operation. Eight patients underwent radiation therapy after subtotal removal of their tumor; four of these remain alive and well, and four have died of progressive disease. The role of irradiation in the treatment of subtotally resected lesion remains controversial, but this therapy is thought to be indicated for recurrent disease after a surgical excision that is as complete as possible. Histopathologically, the presence of occasional mitotic figures, microscopic infiltration, ependymal differentiation, or mild to moderate atypia was not correlated with likelihood of complete resectability or tendency to recurrence.