- Main symptoms
- How to confirm the diagnosis
- How the treatment is done
- Possible complications
- Is craniopharyngioma curable?
Craniopharyngioma is a rare type of tumor, but it is benign. This tumor reaches the region of the Turkish saddle, in the central nervous system (CNS), affecting a gland in the brain called the pituitary gland, which releases hormones to perform various functions of the body, and as the tumor grows it can reach other parts of the body. brain and impair the functioning of the body.
There are two types of craniopharyngioma, adamantinomatous, which is the most common and affects more children than adults, and the papillary type, which is rarer and more frequent in adults. Both stem from a defect in the formation of brain cells, and the symptoms are similar, with headaches, total or partial loss of vision, growth problems in children and hormone dysregulation in adults.
The treatment for this type of tumor can be done through surgery, radiotherapy, brachytherapy and medication. Craniopharyngioma has difficult resection, but with proper treatment, it is possible to live with a better quality of life and with few neurological, visual and endocrine sequelae.
Main symptoms
Although in some cases the symptoms may appear suddenly, usually, the symptoms appear gradually. Some of them are:
- Difficulty seeing; Strong headaches; Feeling of pressure in the head; Loss of memory and learning difficulties; Difficulty sleeping; Weight gain very fast; Diabetes.
In addition, craniopharyngioma alters hormone levels, which can cause irregular menstrual periods and difficulty maintaining or obtaining an erection and, in children, can cause growth retardation.
As craniopharyngioma is a rare type of tumor and causes symptoms similar to other diseases, it is often difficult to diagnose, being discovered a time after the onset of symptoms. Therefore, as soon as the symptoms appear, it is important to see a neurologist, as the early diagnosis helps to carry out a less aggressive treatment and to reduce complications.
How to confirm the diagnosis
The diagnosis of a craniopharyngioma initially consists of assessing symptoms and performing tests to test vision, hearing, balance, coordination of body movements, reflexes, growth and development.
In addition, the doctor may recommend blood tests to analyze hormone levels, such as growth hormone (GH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), as changes in these hormones may be related to craniopharyngioma. Learn more about the role of luteinizing hormone and reference values in the exam.
To assess the exact location and size of the tumor, imaging tests such as magnetic resonance and computed tomography are also indicated. Although it is rare, in some cases, the doctor may recommend performing a biopsy to rule out the possibility of cancer.
How the treatment is done
Depending on the size and location of the craniopharyngioma, the neurologist and neurosurgeon will indicate the type of treatment, which may consist of:
- Surgery: performed to remove the tumor, which can be done through a cut in the skull or through a video catheter, which is inserted into the nose. In some cases, the tumor is partially removed because it is close to certain regions of the brain;
- Radiotherapy: when the tumor is not completely removed, radiotherapy is indicated, which is performed on a machine that releases a type of energy directly into the tumor and thus helps to kill sick cells; Brachytherapy: it is similar to radiotherapy, but in this case, the doctor places a radioactive material inside the tumor to kill the sick cells; Chemotherapy: consists of the administration of drugs that destroy the craniopharyngioma cells; Hormone replacement drugs: it is a treatment that serves to regulate the levels of hormones in the body; Target therapy: consists of administering drugs that target cells with genetic changes, characteristic of some types of craniopharyngioma.
In addition, research is underway, where new treatments and medications for craniopharyngioma are being studied and some hospitals and clinics admit people to try these treatments.
Treatment with hormone replacement drugs should be carried out throughout life and, in addition, regular monitoring by an endocrinologist is also very important. In some cases, it may be necessary to have another surgery, as the tumor may grow again.
Possible complications
Craniopharyngioma, even after being treated, can cause changes in the body, because in most cases, hormone levels remain altered, so it is very important to maintain the treatment recommended by the doctor. And yet, when it reaches a part of the brain called the hypothalamus, it can cause severe obesity, developmental delay, behavioral changes, body temperature imbalances, excess thirst, insomnia and increased blood pressure.
In addition, in more severe cases, when the craniopharyngioma increases in size, it can cause blindness or obstruct parts of the skull, leading to fluid accumulation and causing hydrocephalus. Check out more about hydrocephalus.
Is craniopharyngioma curable?
Craniopharyngioma has no cure and that is why it is necessary to continue with the use of medications throughout life, due to hormonal complications, and to undergo periodic imaging and blood tests as recommended by the doctor, as the tumor may recur. Despite this, treatments are more and more advanced, allowing to live longer and with a better quality of life.
