Skip navigation
MedlinePlus Trusted Health Information for You U.S. National Library of MedicineNational Institutes of Health
Contact Us FAQs Site Map About MedlinePlus
español Home Health Topics Drugs & Supplements Medical Encyclopedia Dictionary News Directories Other Resources

 

Medical Encyclopedia

Other encyclopedia topics:  A-Ag  Ah-Ap  Aq-Az  B-Bk  Bl-Bz  C-Cg  Ch-Co  Cp-Cz  D-Di  Dj-Dz  E-Ep  Eq-Ez  F  G  H-Hf  Hg-Hz  I-In  Io-Iz  J  K  L-Ln  Lo-Lz  M-Mf  Mg-Mz  N  O  P-Pl  Pm-Pz  Q  R  S-Sh  Si-Sp  Sq-Sz  T-Tn  To-Tz  U  V  W  X  Y  Z  0-9 

Craniopharyngioma

Printer-friendly versionEmail this page to a friend
Contents of this page:

Illustrations

Endocrine glands
Endocrine glands

Definition    Return to top

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

Causes    Return to top

This tumor most commonly affects children between 5 and 10 years of age; however, adults can sometimes be affected. Boys and girls are equally likely to develop this condition.

Symptoms    Return to top

Craniopharyngioma causes symptoms in three different ways:

Increased pressure on the brain causes headache, nausea, vomiting (especially in the morning), and difficulty with balance.

Damage to the pituitary gland causes hormone imbalances that can lead to excessive thirst and urination (diabetes insipidus) and stunted growth. When the optic nerve is damaged by the tumor, vision problems develop. These defects are often permanent, and may be worse after surgery to remove the tumor.

Most patients have at least some visual defects and evidence of decreased hormone production at the time of diagnosis.

Exams and Tests    Return to top

Treatment    Return to top

Traditionally, surgery has been the main treatment for craniopharyngioma. However, radiation treatment instead of surgery may be the best choice for some patients.

In tumors that cannot be removed completely with surgery alone, radiation therapy is usually necessary. If the tumor has a classic appearance on CT scan, then even a biopsy may not be necessary, if treatment with radiation alone is planned.

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

Outlook (Prognosis)    Return to top

In general, the prognosis for patients with craniopharyngioma is good, with an 80-90% chance of permanent cure if the tumor can be completely removed with surgery or treated with high doses of radiation. However, the prognosis for an individual patient depends on several factors, including the ability of the tumor to be completely removed, and the neurological deficits and hormonal imbalances caused by the tumor and the treatment. Most of the problems with hormones and vision do not improve with treatment, and sometimes the treatment may even make them worse.

Possible Complications    Return to top

A significant percentage of patients have long-term hormonal, visual, and neurological problems following the treatment of craniopharyngioma.

In patients where the tumor is not completely removed, the condition may recur.

When to Contact a Medical Professional    Return to top

Call your health care provider if there are any signs of increased intracranial pressure (headache, nausea, vomiting, imbalance), any visual changes, increased thirst and urination, or poor growth in a child.

Update Date: 4/23/2004

Updated by: Samuel Blackman, M.D., Department of Pediatrics , Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M. Logo

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2008, A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.