Surgery to remove craniopharyngiomas can be very challenging. First, these tumors develop near delicate nerves and your pituitary gland, which are at risk for damage. Second, removing a craniopharyngioma is like pulling a sticky label off an envelope without tearing the envelope. That’s because these tumors tend to cling to your pituitary gland and the nerves that control vision. Some healthcare providers believe surgery to remove these tumors may cause as much damage as the tumors. So, it’s important to understand what the goal of surgery will be ahead of time and what side effects may be expected.