Craniopharyngioma is a slow-growing, non-cancerous brain tumor that develops near the pituitary gland (a small endocrine gland at the base of the brain which produces several important hormones) and the hypothalamus (an endocrine organ which controls the release of hormones by the pituitary gland). This tumor most commonly affects children between 5 and 10 years of age; however, adults can sometimes be affected. Although craniopharyngiomas are not cancerous, they may grow and press on nearby parts of the brain, causing symptoms including hormonal changes, vision changes, slow growth, headaches, nausea and vomiting, loss of balance, hearing loss, and changes in mood or behavior.

The cause of these tumors is not well understood; however, researchers suspect that they begin to form during the early stages of embryo development in pregnancy (embryogenesis) and may result from metaplasia (abnormal transformation of cells). Treatment for craniopharyngioma varies and may involve surgery to remove the tumor, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, biologic therapy, and/or hormone therapy to replace various hormones no longer produced or secreted due to the tumor or its treatment.

Craniopharyngioma may cause symptoms by increasing the pressure on the brain (intracranial pressure), disrupting the function of the pituitary gland, and/or damaging the optic nerve. Symptoms vary from person to person and depend on the specific location of the tumor and its relationship to other adjacent structures.

• Increased pressure on the brain may cause hydrocephalus, headache, nausea, vomiting (especially in the morning), and difficulty with balance.
• Damage to the pituitary gland may cause hormone imbalances that can lead to many signs and symptoms such as:
  • deficiency of growth hormone, gonadotropin, thyroid stimulating hormone, and/or adrenocorticotropic hormone
  • excessive thirst and urination (diabetes insipidus)
  • sleep disturbances
  • delayed puberty and stunted growth
  • weight gain or obesity, fatigue, cold intolerance, constipation, decreased mental function, behavioral symptoms (hypothyroidism symptoms)
  • adrenal failure symptoms (heart arrhythmias, confusion, lethargy, orthostatic hypotension, low blood sugar)
  • changes in personality or mood (such as feeling depressed or having anxiety)
• Damage to the optic nerve may result in vision problems.

Symptoms are often permanent, and may be worse after surgery to remove the tumor. People with craniopharyngioma often have impaired psychosocial health in addition to physical health, both of which contribute to reduced quality of life.

About 80% of adults with this tumor complain of decreased sexual drive, and almost 90% of men complain of impotence, while most women have absent menses (amenorrhea).

Because craniopharyngioma typically is a slow-growing tumor, symptoms frequently develop very slowly. The time interval between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis usually ranges from 1-2 years.