A craniopharyngioma is a type of rare brain tumor that forms near the pituitary gland, a small organ that secretes hormones regulating many bodily functions. Through the pituitary stalk, the pituitary is connected to the hypothalamus, a highly functional structure found at the lower part of the brain.
Craniopharyngiomas are benign tumors (non-cancerous), but they can have locally aggressive behavior, by compressing or infiltrating surrounding structures. Thus, as it grows, the tumor can affect pituitary function, visual functions, and sometimes hypothalamic function, a very important structure involved in memory, cognition, and eating behavior. When large, these tumors can also block the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid, leading to hydrocephalus, that is, a dilation of the cerebrospinal fluid cavities normally present in the brain.
Craniopharyngiomas can have 3 components: a fleshy component (solid part of the tumor), a cystic component (liquid part of the tumor), a calcified component.
These tumors must be managed within a specialized and experienced multidisciplinary team in the treatment of these rare tumors, including neurosurgeons, endocrinologists, ophthalmologists, neuroradiologists, pathologists, and radiotherapists.
Unlike other tumors, craniopharyngiomas do not always have a linear progression. Thus, they can increase in volume, but also sometimes remain stable or even decrease in volume. This explains why initial surveillance may be proposed at diagnosis, if the craniopharyngioma is asymptomatic (or minimally symptomatic).
Surgically, these tumors must be treated by neurosurgeons specialized in the management of lesions of the sellar region (region of the pituitary, pituitary stalk, hypothalamus), having the experience and mastery of all surgical techniques allowing to reach them:
- Endoscopic endonasal techniques
- Transcranial microsurgery techniques