Craniopharyngioma

Benign non-glial epithelial central nervous system tumour, constituting 1% to 3% of intracranial tumours in adults, most often located near the optic chiasm.

Bimodal age incidence with 50% in children aged between 5 and 14 years and a second peak in adults 50 to 70 years of age.

Common acute presentations are sudden visual loss and symptoms of intracranial hypertension.

Pituitary dysfunction is also common; children may present with growth failure and adults with diabetes insipidus and sexual dysfunction.

Primary treatment consists of surgery. Following surgery, radiotherapy may be required.

The majority of patients require adjunctive endocrine replacement therapy.

Craniopharyngiomas are benign, extra-axial, non-glial epithelial tumours of the central nervous system and are seen in both children and adults. They most commonly arise within the sellar/suprasellar space. Clinically, craniopharyngiomas cause mass effect symptoms, including visual loss or symptoms of intracranial hypertension. In addition, pituitary dysfunction is common and the majority of patients will have an associated endocrinopathy.