Risk Factors

A risk factor is anything that increases a person’s chance of developing a tumor. Some risk factors can be controlled, such as smoking, and some cannot be controlled, such as age and family history. Although risk factors can influence the development of a tumor, most do not directly cause a tumor. Some people with several risk factors never develop a tumor, while others with no known risk factors do.

The cause of craniopharyngioma is not known. More than 50% of people with craniopharyngioma are younger than 18, with most cases occurring between the ages of 5 and 10. The second most common age range that craniopharyngioma occurs is between the ages of 40 and 60.