How long can you live with craniopharyngioma?

When properly managed, individuals with a craniopharyngioma have an over 90% survival rate over 20 years. Many experts consider craniopharyngiomas to be a chronic disease, as tumor recurrence rates are high, even with apparent complete resection of the tumor.

How serious is a craniopharyngioma?

The exact cause of craniopharyngioma is not known. Though benign, craniopharyngioma tumors can place excessive pressure on the brain and cause severe headaches, vision problems, and vomiting. Damage to the pituitary gland can lead to hormonal problems, ranging from excessive thirst to stunted growth.

How fast does craniopharyngioma grow?

As craniopharyngiomas are in general slowly growing, symptoms may develop gradually – a circumstance which may contribute to the reported delay of 1–2 years between symptom onset and diagnosis (Garnett et al., 2007).

Can craniopharyngioma grow back?

The tumor can be fully removed with surgery in 9 out of 10 children. In some cases, there is a chance that the tumor will grow back, especially if all of it is not removed. Most cases of the tumor growing back happen within 2 years of surgery.

Can craniopharyngioma be cured?

A craniopharyngioma is a rare type of benign (not cancerous) brain tumor. These tumors usually form close to the pituitary gland and do not spread to other areas. Doctors usually can remove these tumors with surgery or treat them with high doses of radiation. Most people treated for a craniopharyngioma are cured.

What grade is a craniopharyngioma?

Craniopharyngiomas are low grade (benign) tumours, most often diagnosed between the ages of 5-15 but could also present at 45-60. These tumours are found at the base of the brain close to the pituitary gland.

How do I know if I have craniopharyngioma?

Craniopharyngioma Symptoms

Balance problems.
Confusion, mood swings or behavior changes.
Headache.
Increased thirst and urination.
Nausea and vomiting.
Slow growth in children.
Vision problems.

How do you get rid of craniopharyngioma?

The initial optimal treatment for craniopharyngiomas is maximal safe surgical removal. Fortunately for most patients, craniopharyngiomas can be removed through a keyhole route via the nose using an endoscopic endonasal approach or an eyebrow craniotomy.

Do brain tumors make you thirsty?

If excessive thirst is caused by a brain tumour, other symptoms will often be present, in particular: abnormal growth. delayed or arrested puberty.

Is craniopharyngioma fatal?

In most of the reports of outcomes, the mortality is reported up to about 10 years, but there is a significant mortality of patients with craniopharyngioma even more than 10 years after diagnosis of the disease. This may be related to tumor recurrence or to a secondary neoplasm if radiotherapy had been used.

Where is a craniopharyngioma located?

Craniopharyngioma is a rare type of noncancerous (benign) brain tumor. Craniopharyngioma begins near the brain’s pituitary gland, which secretes hormones that control many body functions. As a craniopharyngioma slowly grows, it can affect the function of the pituitary gland and other nearby structures in the brain.

How is craniopharyngioma treated?

Treatment of newly diagnosed childhood craniopharyngioma may include the following: Surgery (complete resection) with or without radiation therapy. Partial resection followed by radiation therapy. Cyst drainage with or without radiation therapy or surgery.

What happens if you have a craniopharyngioma tumor?

Craniopharyngiomas are benign brain tumors arising near the pituitary gland & may cause loss of pituitary hormonal function, visual loss & headaches. The initial optimal treatment for craniopharyngiomas is maximal safe surgical removal.

What kind of surgery is needed for craniopharyngioma?

Endonasal endoscopic surgery is the optimal initial treatment for most Craniopharyngiomas. Craniopharyngiomas are benign brain tumors arising near the pituitary gland & may cause loss of pituitary hormonal function, visual loss & headaches.

How often should you get a MRI after a craniopharyngioma?

Additionally, because of the tendency for craniopharyngiomas to recur, repeat MRI should be obtained at least every six months for the first 5 years after surgery or radiation and then at least annually thereafter.