Overview

Craniopharyngioma is a type of central nervous system tumor (CNS) tumor. A tumor begins when normal cells begin to change and grow uncontrollably, forming a mass. A tumor can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous, meaning it can spread to other parts of the body). Craniopharyngioma is a benign tumor that is usually slow-growing and not as likely to spread.

The brain and spinal column make up the CNS, where all vital functions of the body are controlled. The brain is the center of thought, memory, and emotion. It controls the five senses (smell, touch, taste, hearing, and sight), movement, and other basic body functions, including heartbeat, circulation, and breathing. The spinal cord consists of nerves that carry information from the body to the brain and from the brain to the body. When a tumor begins in the CNS, it can affect a person’s thought processes and movements. A tumor in the CNS can also be challenging to treat because the tissue surrounding the tumor may be vital to the body’s functioning.

Craniopharyngioma starts near the pituitary gland in a part of the brain called the suprasellar region. This region is the area of the brain above the part of the skull where the pituitary gland is located. The pituitary gland is an important gland in the brain and is often called the “master endocrine gland” because it produces several different hormones that affect many bodily functions.

Craniopharyngioma is a slow-growing tumor that can grow for many years before being found. It can be solid and/or cystic (a closed pouch or sac that contains fluid), and it may contain calcified nodules (a growth or lump that has hardened due to deposits of calcium). A cystic tumor may also contain some solid material or debris and often contains very high amounts of protein.

This section covers craniopharyngioma that occurs in children. For information about craniopharyngioma in adults, read the Guide to Brain Tumors.

Statistics

Approximately 200 people are diagnosed with craniopharyngioma each year in the United States. More than half are younger than 18. Craniopharyngioma accounts for approximately 4% of childhood CNS tumors.

Cancer statistics should be interpreted with caution. Estimates are based on data from thousands of cases of this type of tumor, but the actual risk for a particular individual may differ.

Source: Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States.

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