Craniopharyngioma surgery

Editor(s)-in-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [mailto:mgibson@perfuse.org] Phone:617-632-7753

Overview
Patients with craniopharyngioma have many treatment options. The selection depends on the size, location of the tumor. The options are surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of these methods. Before treatment starts, ask your health care team about possible side effects and how treatment may change your normal activities. Because these treatments often damage healthy cells and tissues, side effects are common. Side effect may not be the same for each person, and they may change from one treatment session to the next.

Surgery
The feasibility of surgery depends on the size, the location of the tumor. The types of surgery include transsphenoidal surgery and craniotomy.