How is the body affected by craniopharyngioma?

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.

What can cause craniopharyngioma?

At present, there are no known causes or proven risk factors for craniopharyngioma. Blood and urine tests can indicate a hormone imbalance that may be caused by a problem with the pituitary gland.

What hormones are affected by craniopharyngioma?

Typically tests for craniopharyngioma include evaluation of serum electrolytes, as well as all the hormones that can be affected by pituitary dysfunction: GH, IGF-1, TSH, free thyroxin, cortisol, FSH, LH, testosterone, estradiol, and prolactin.

How does craniopharyngioma cause hypopituitarism?

In addition, as the tumour enlarges, the normal pituitary tissue is compressed and can be damaged, leading to progressive loss of production of some or all of the pituitary hormones (hypopituitarism). A number of symptoms can occur depending on which hormones are lost.

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?

Although histologically benign, craniopharyngioma can regrow either from macroscopic remnants of the tumour left behind at operation, or even after an apparently gross total removal.

Can craniopharyngioma come back?

Abstract. Although histologically benign, craniopharyngioma can regrow either from macroscopic remnants of the tumour left behind at operation, or even after an apparently gross total removal.

Can craniopharyngioma cause hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism is a common endocrine symptom of craniopharyngioma. However, owing to long cycle period of thyroid hormone, there is no strong effect at the early time. By contrast, TSH is affected more markedly (4,5). After surgery, the incidence of low cortisol may go up to 24–91% (6).

How does craniopharyngioma cause hyperprolactinemia?

This is very uncommon and occurs with severe pituitary insufficiency. Large pituitary tumors can paradoxically elevate blood prolactin levels due to the “stalk effect.” This elevation occurs as a result of the compression of the pituitary stalk, which interferes with the brain’s control of prolactin production.

How can craniopharyngioma be prevented?

There is no known way to prevent craniopharyngioma.

How long can you live with craniopharyngioma?

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.

Can craniopharyngioma cause diabetes?

Adults with craniopharyngioma, whether onset was during childhood or adulthood, have increased risks for developing diabetes, new intracranial tumors, all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease and cerebrovascular disease, study data show.