Craniopharyngioma (patient information)

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Editor-in-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [mailto:mgibson@perfuse.org] Phone:617-632-7753; Associate Editor-In-Chief: Jinhui Wu, M.D.

Overview
Craniopharyngioma is a benign tumor that develops near the pituitary gland. It doesn't have any early symptoms. With the development of the tumor, they may grow into the pituitary gland, optic chiasm, optic nerves, or nearby fluid -filled spaces in the brain. Many functions including hormone making, growth, and vision may be affected. Frequent symptoms include polydipsia, anorexia, balance disorder, headache and vision loss. Treatments include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of them.

What are the symptoms of craniopharyngioma?
Early craniopharyngioma does not have any symptoms. As the tumor grows larger, functions about hormone making, growth, and vision may be afected.

Symptoms by increasing the pressure on the brain


 * Headache
 * Balance disorder
 * Nausea and vomiting

Symptomsby disrupting the function of the pituitary gland

Symptoms by damaging the optic nerve
 * Polydipsia
 * Polyuria
 * Short stature
 * Weight gain
 * Myxedema
 * Amenorrhea
 * Lethargy
 * Vision loss

Other health problems may also cause these symptoms. Only a doctor can tell for sure. A person with any of these symptoms should tell the doctor so that the problems can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.

Who is at highest risk?
The cause of craniopharyngioma is not clear at present. More studies need to done about it.

When to seek urgent medical care?
Call oyur doctor if there are any signs of increased intracranial pressure such as headache, nausea, vomiting or imbalance, any visual changes, or increased thirst and urination, or poor growth in a child.

Diagnosis

 * Cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): An MRI uses magnetic fields but it is a different type of image than what is produced by computed tomography (CT). It can produce very detailed images of the brain to help diagnose craniopharyngioma. Like computed tomography (CT), a contrast agent may be injected into a patient’s vein to create a better picture.
 * Cranial computed tomography (CT) scan: CT scans are also used to diagnose craniopharyngioma. It can confirm the location of the tumor and show the organs nearby.
 * Endocrine hormone tests

Treatment options
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.
 * Radiation therapy: This is a cancer treatment to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing by using high-energy x-rays or other types of radiation.
 * Chemotherapy: The treatment is to use drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing.

Diseases with similar symptoms

 * Pituitary adenoma
 * Optic chiasma glioma
 * Tuberculum sellae meningioma
 * Tumor of third ventricle
 * Lateral ventricles chorioidopapilloma

Where to find medical care for craniopharyngioma?
Directions to Hospitals Treating craniopharyngioma

Prevention
Because the cause of the disease is not clear, the preventive measure is unknown.

What to expect (Outook/Prognosis)?
In general as a benign tumor, the prognosis of craniopharyngioma is good. The outlook depends on:


 * Whether or not the tumor can be removed by surgery.
 * The neurological deficits and hormonal imbalances caused by the tumor and the treatment
 * The patient’s general health

Resources

 * Medlineplus


 * Cancer.gov