Craniopharyngioma overview
A craniopharyngioma is a rare, noncancerous brain tumor that grows near the base of the brain, close to the pituitary gland. This area plays an important role in hormones, vision, and growth. Depending on where the tumor sits and how large it is, it may affect one or more of these functions.
There are different types of craniopharyngiomas. One type, called adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma, is more common in children but can also occur in adults. Another type, called papillary craniopharyngioma, occurs mostly in adults. Craniopharyngiomas are sometimes confused with pituitary adenomas because both grow near the pituitary gland. While they share a similar location, they are different tumors and can lead to different symptoms and treatment needs
Craniopharyngioma signs and symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person and depend on where the tumor is located in the brain. Common signs may include:
- Headaches that won’t go away
- Changes in vision, like blurry spots or loss of side vision
- Feeling very tired or weak
- Nausea or vomiting
- Slowed growth in children
- Hormone-related changes, including thirst, weight changes, or delayed puberty
Why craniopharyngiomas develop
The exact cause of craniopharyngioma is not known. Most appear to develop by chance and are not linked to lifestyle, environmental exposure, or anything a person did or did not do.
How craniopharyngiomas are diagnosed
Doctors usually identify craniopharyngiomas using imaging tests that allow them to see the tumor clearly. This type of craniopharyngioma radiology helps determine the tumor’s size, location, and relationship to nearby brain structures. Additional testing may help assess hormone levels or vision changes.
Finding the right craniopharyngioma treatment plan
Treatment depends on the size and location of the tumor, and the symptoms it causes. Doctors consider a range of options, which may include surgery and other therapies. When surgery is needed, specialists often use minimally invasive techniques to remove as much of the tumor as is safely possible, allowing many patients to return home sooner, even after complex tumor removal. Throughout treatment, the focus is on helping patients feel as well as possible during and after care.
Can craniopharyngiomas be prevented?
There’s no proven way to prevent craniopharyngiomas since they aren’t linked to lifestyle or environmental factors. Being aware of changes in your body can help you know when it’s time to check in with a doctor. Because symptoms can develop slowly, they may be easily overlooked at first. Regular checkups and sharing any ongoing or unusual changes with your health care team can help identify problems earlier and lead to timely care. Trusting your instincts can make a difference in getting answers quickly and starting treatment.
A coordinated approach to craniopharyngioma care
Because craniopharyngiomas grow in a sensitive area of the brain, treatment often involves several specialists working together to support the whole person, not just the tumor. Penn Medicine patients receive care from experienced teams in neurology and neurosurgery, with added expertise from the Penn Pituitary Center. For children, treatment is closely coordinated with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Plans are personalized, with careful attention to daily function, long-term health, and life after craniopharyngioma treatment.
For some people, this diagnosis also means traveling for specialty care. To reduce that burden, teams work closely with doctors closer to home whenever possible, coordinate visits with multiple specialists on the same day, and may offer video visits or arrange testing and follow-up care at convenient locations.