Definition
Craniopharyngioma is a slow-growing, extra-axial, epithelial-squamous, calcified cystic tumor that develops near the pituitary gland. It occupies the suprasellar/sellar region and shows benign histology but malignant behavior, as it may invade surrounding areas and recur after treatment (Fahlbusch et al. 1999). Craniopharyngiomas may develop embryogenetically, arising from remnants of the craniopharyngeal duct and/or Rathke cleft, or metaplastically because of residual squamous epithelium. The most common presenting symptoms are endocrine dysfunction, headache, and visual disturbances. Craniopharyngiomas are treated with surgical excision or surgery followed by radiotherapy(Fig. 1).
(Courtesy Michael Fisher, MD, Peter C. Phillips, MD. The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia)
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
References and Readings
Fahlbusch, R., Honegger, J., Paulus, W., Huk, W., & Buchfelder, M. (1999). Surgical treatment of craniopharyngiomas: Experience with 168 patients. Journal of Neurosurgery, 90, 237–250.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2017 Springer International Publishing AG
About this entry
Cite this entry
Moitra, E. (2017). Craniopharyngioma. In: Kreutzer, J., DeLuca, J., Caplan, B. (eds) Encyclopedia of Clinical Neuropsychology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-56782-2_100-2
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-56782-2_100-2
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-56782-2
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-56782-2
eBook Packages: Springer Reference Behavioral Science and PsychologyReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Business, Economics and Social Sciences