Craniopharyngioma

Craniopharyngiomas are rare, histologically benign tumors that arise in the suprasellar space. As noted by Harvey Cushing as early as 1932, these lesions while benign in nature are frequently adherent to adjacent critical structures, which makes complete surgical resection challenging. Because a microscopic gross total resection is rarely obtained, adjuvant radiotherapy plays an important role in the management of these lesions. However, given the proximity of critical normal tissues adjacent to or even within target volumes, radiation therapy may be associated with adverse effects. Both surgical- and radiation-induced adverse effects are compounded by the frequent presence of morbidities arising from the tumor itself. While morbidities are frequent, patients with craniopharyngioma have excellent survival outcomes. Thus, practitioners of all specialties must take great care in treatment planning and survivorship in order to optimize posttreatment outcomes.