Ok, so basically this is a tumor that develops most commonly in childhood and adolescence. If not then, it could also occur in adults over fifty. So hopefully we are all ok for now. These tumors make up 2-4% of all cranial tumors. Apparently they can get HUG, up to 3 cms to be a little more exact. There are not usually caught until they start to put pressure on other structures. These structures are then affected making the idea of a tumor plausible. Eyesight might be affected for example because the optic nerve lies just anterior to where the pituitary gland lies. Researches think these tumors might arise from embryonic cells from an imperfect involuted anterior pituitary gland; these cells eventually from the craniopharyngioma. They are benign, so the greatest damage is how they affect the structures around it, such as optic chiasm, arteries within the cranium and even the brain itself.
Symptons of this tumor really vary, depending on what structures it’s putting pressure on. If it is putting pressure on the pituitary gland itself, hormone deficiency would most likely follow, which in turn might affect growth depending on your stage in life. If it’s affecting the pituitary stalk diabetes could develop along with milk coming from the breast. More common symptons include vomiting, personality changes, and confusion.
Diagnoses can really only be made with a CT or MRI of the pituitary gland with and without contrast.
Treatment is almost always surgery. The goal is to get it out, while keeping the other structures fully intact. Whenever they can’t fully remove it, radiation therapy is an option to control the size of the tumor. CTs and MRIs should be done yearly after the surgery to ensure the tumor has not grown back.
Below is a coronal CT post contrast. Notice the bright appearance of the tumor.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIt-_8_gOqP77872PywczgP_BN3W1QgMpuQzosLQ60FK89Ko61_YRvcKhd2ihvzT8J2g8ef649OIxxBIBbXKxJ5SfG8gJV4PZk_TLsMQJON7XjfSF9Q0pD3ii9eDV9BSCfU4qabQqQz2kN/s320/cranio.jpg
Below is an MRI T1 sagittal post contrast view of a childs brain.bp0.blogger.com/.../ZVpdGq_3FeU/s320/cranio.jpg
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