Craniopharyngioma

Craniopharyngioma is a benign tumor that arises near the pituitary gland and stalk and is typically both cystic and solid in structure. They occur most commonly in childhood and adolescence and in later adult life after age 50 years. They account for 10-15% of sellar and suprasellar tumors (tumors that occur in and above the pituitary gland) and 50-60% of sellar and suprasellar tumors in children. They are usually not discovered until they impinge upon important structures around them, and are frequently quite large (over 3 cm) when detected. They can cause loss of pituitary function (hypopituitarism), visual loss, headaches and other symptoms. Primary treatment is surgical by the endonasal route of supra-orbital route; additional therapy such as radiotherapy or radiosurgery and hormone replacement are often needed.