Craniopharyngiomas are benign brain tumours that develop in proximity to the pituitary gland. While papillary craniopharyngiomas mostly affect adults, adamantinomatous craniopharyngiomas are often found in children.
Due to their location, adamantinomatous brain tumours can affect the function of the pituitary gland. As a result, adamantinomatous craniopharyngiomas are often characterized by the following symptoms:
Craniopharyngiomas can also cause other symptoms depending on their size, as they may put pressure on other areas of the brain.
Doctors don’t have a clear answer on what causes this type of brain tumour. Generally, tumours result from genetic mutations that cause the uncontrolled growth of tissues. It is likely that a combination of factors, including genetic background, environment, and lifestyle, all play a role.
Most children with adamantinomatous craniopharyngiomas must undergo surgery to remove all or part of the tumour. These procedures can include placement of a shunt, which is a small device that helps relieve pressure in the brain caused by fluid buildup.
In the event the tumour cannot be treated via surgery alone, radiation therapy may also be recommended. This therapy can shrink the tumour and stop it from getting larger. Depending on the type of tumour, targeted drug therapies may also be beneficial. And because adamantinomatous brain tumours often cause hormonal issues, hormone therapy may be needed to help manage these effects.