Craniopharyngioma pathophysiology

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

Pathophysiology
They are very slow growing tumors. They arise from the cells along the pituitary stalk. They are classified as benign.

Craniopharyngioma is a rare, usually suprasellar neoplasm, which may be cystic, that develops from the nests of epithelium derived from Rathke's pouch.

Microscopic pathology
The histologic pattern consists of nesting of squamous epithelium bordered by radially arranged cells. It is frequently accompanied by calcium deposition and have a microscopic papillary architecture.