Learn About Craniopharyngioma

View Main Condition: Brain Tumor

What is the definition of Craniopharyngioma?

A craniopharyngioma is a noncancerous (benign) tumor that develops at the base of the brain near the pituitary gland.

What are the causes of Craniopharyngioma?

The exact cause of the tumor is unknown.

This tumor most commonly affects children from 5 to 10 years of age. Adults can sometimes be affected. Boys and girls are equally likely to develop this tumor.

What are the symptoms of Craniopharyngioma?

Craniopharyngioma causes symptoms by:

  • Increasing pressure on the brain, usually from hydrocephalus
  • Disrupting hormone production by the hypothalamus or pituitary gland
  • Pressure or damage to the optic nerve

Increased pressure on the brain can cause:

  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting (especially in the morning)
  • Change in appetite and weight
  • Confusion and drowsiness

Damage to the pituitary gland causes hormone imbalances that can lead to excessive thirst and urination, and slow growth.

When the optic nerve is damaged by the tumor, vision problems develop. These defects are often permanent. They may get worse after surgery to remove the tumor.

Behavioral and learning problems may be present.

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What are the current treatments for Craniopharyngioma?

The goal of the treatment is to relieve symptoms. Usually, surgery has been the main treatment for craniopharyngioma. However, radiation treatment instead of surgery or along with a smaller surgery may be the best choice for some people.

In tumors that cannot be removed completely with surgery alone, radiation therapy is used. If the tumor has a classic appearance on CT scan, a biopsy may not be needed if treatment with radiation alone is planned. In some people, a shunt may be placed to treat the hydrocephalus.

Stereotactic radiosurgery is performed at some medical centers.

This tumor is best treated at a center with experience in treating craniopharyngiomas.

Who are the top Craniopharyngioma Local Doctors?

Yale University

5520 Park Ave, 
Trumbull, CT 
 4.2 mi
Offers Telehealth

Nicholas Blondin is a Neurologist in Trumbull, Connecticut. Dr. Blondin and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Craniopharyngioma. His top areas of expertise are Astrocytoma, Glioblastoma, Glioma, Brain Tumor, and Gastrostomy.

Neurosurgery
Neurosurgery

Yale University

20 York St, 
New Haven, CT 
 15.9 mi
Offers Telehealth

Sacit Omay is a Neurosurgery provider in New Haven, Connecticut. Dr. Omay and is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Craniopharyngioma. His top areas of expertise are Pituitary Tumor, Hypothalamic Tumor, Pituitary Apoplexy, Endoscopic Transnasal Transsphenoidal Surgery, and Balloon Sinuplasty.

 
 
 
 
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Neurology | Psychiatry
Neurology | Psychiatry

Rehabilitation Associates Inc

555 Bridgeport Ave, 
Shelton, CT 
 8.4 mi
Offers Telehealth

Glenn Seliger is a Neurologist and a Psychiatrist in Shelton, Connecticut. Dr. Seliger and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Craniopharyngioma. His top areas of expertise are Delirium, Chronic Subdural Hematoma, Subdural Hematoma, and Stroke.

What is the outlook (prognosis) for Craniopharyngioma?

In general, the outlook is good. There is an 80% to 90% chance of a cure if the tumor can be completely removed with surgery or treated with high doses of radiation. If the tumor returns, it will most often come back within the first 2 years after surgery.

The outlook depends on several factors, including:

  • Whether the tumor can be completely removed
  • Which nervous system problems and hormonal imbalances the tumor and treatment cause

Most of the problems with hormones and vision do not improve with treatment. Sometimes, the treatment may even make them worse.

What are the possible complications of Craniopharyngioma?

There may be long-term hormone, vision, and nervous system problems after craniopharyngioma is treated.

When the tumor is not completely removed, the condition may return.

When should I contact a medical professional for Craniopharyngioma?

Contact your provider for the following symptoms:

  • Headache, confusion, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, or balance problems (signs of increased pressure on the brain)
  • Failing to keep up in school
  • Loss or gain of weight
  • Increased thirst and urination
  • Poor growth in a child
  • Vision changes
What are the latest Craniopharyngioma Clinical Trials?
Nivolumab and Tovorafenib for the Treatment of Newly Diagnosed or Recurrent Craniopharyngioma in Children and Young Adults

Summary: The current study assesses the tolerability and efficacy of combination therapy with PD-1 (nivolumab) and pan-RAF-kinase (Tovorafenib) inhibition for the treatment of children and young adults with craniopharyngioma.

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A Phase 1/2 Study of FOG-001 in Participants With Locally Advanced or Metastatic Solid Tumors

Summary: The goal of this clinical trial is to determine if FOG-001 is safe and effective in participants with locally advanced or metastatic cancer.

Who are the sources who wrote this article ?

Published Date: May 10, 2024
Published By: Luc Jasmin, MD, Ph.D., FRCS (C), FACS, Department of Neuroscience, Guam Regional Medical City, Guam; Department of Surgery, Johnson City Medical Center, TN; Department of Maxillofacial Surgery at UCSF, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

What are the references for this article ?

Lohkamp LN, Kasper EM, Pousa AE, Bartels UK. An update on multimodal management of craniopharyngioma in children. Front Oncol. 2023;13:1149428. PMID: 37213301 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37213301/.

Styne DM. Physiology and disorders of puberty. In: Melmed S, Auchus RJ, Goldfine AB, Koenig RJ, Rosen CJ, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 26.

Suh JH, Chao ST, Murphy ES, Recinos PF. Pituitary tumors and craniopharyngiomas. In: Tepper JE, Foote RL, Michalski JM, eds. Gunderson & Tepper's Clinical Radiation Oncology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 34.

Zaky W. Central nervous system tumors in childhood. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 546.