Question

What is a craniopharyngioma?

Answer 1

A craniopharyngioma is a rare benign tumor that develops near your pituitary gland. This is a slow-growing tumor that can affect your cranial nerves, which are responsible for vision, and your endocrine system, which is responsible for the hormonal function of your body.

The main treatments for craniopharyngiomas are surgery and radiation therapy. Chemotherapy has emerged as an option for a special papillary subtype of craniopharyngioma.

More than 90% of people with this tumor are alive five years after diagnosis. That said, these tumors are treated as a chronic condition because treatment doesn’t always cure the conditions the tumors cause and because this kind of tumor often comes back (recurs).

Comments

A craniopharyngioma is a rare, benign and slow-growing tumor that can affect parts of your or your child’s endocrine system. Tumor symptoms can take years to surface, but most tumors are found in children ages 5 to 14. Healthcare providers treat these tumors with surgery and radiation therapy. More than 90% of people with craniopharyngiomas are alive five years after diagnosis.

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Even after surgery to remove craniopharyngiomas, these rare benign tumors can have lasting effects on your or your child’s life. Moreover, you or your child may still need medical care for conditions the tumor caused. In a sense, a craniopharyngioma is a chronic illness that you or your child will need to manage for the rest of your lives. While healthcare providers can’t provide a cure, they can promise to do everything to help you and your child face the challenges of living with this rare tumor.