The topic Craniopharyngeal Duct Tumor you are seeking is a synonym, or alternative name, or is closely related to the medical condition Craniopharyngioma.

Quick Summary:

• A Craniopharyngioma (CP) is a type of brain tumor. A brain tumor may be described as a mass of abnormally growing cells arising from the brain tissue (brain parenchyma and meninges) or the spinal cord (central spine). The brain along-with the spinal cord constitute the central nervous system (CNS) of the body
• Broadly, brain tumors are classified as benign (non-cancerous) and malignant. Malignant tumors are cancerous and can spread or metastasize to other regions of the body. They generally exhibit rapid growth and, in some cases, may present symptoms during the early stages of development
• The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies central nervous system tumors according to their grade and histological subtypes. A tumor subtype is determined by a pathologist after examining a tissue biopsy of the tumor under the microscope. This WHO classification system is used by healthcare professionals all over the world in diagnosing and treating these tumors
• Craniopharyngiomas are relatively benign and slow-growing tumors that arises from the sellar and suprasellar region, at the base of the brain. A large subset of the tumors are diagnosed in childhood, although adults are also known to be affected. Per WHO, Craniopharyngioma forms part of a group of tumors designated as “tumors of the sellar region”
• The sellar region includes the sellar turcica and the pituitary gland. It is located just below the center of the brain and bounded by other vital structures such as the hypothalamus, optic nerve, internal carotid artery, and the brainstem. The pituitary gland is the “master gland” of the body that regulates all the other endocrine glands
• There are two histological subtypes of Craniopharyngiomas:
  • Adamantinomatous Craniopharyngioma (adaCP): It is mostly observed in children and constitute between 86-89% of all Craniopharyngiomas
  • Papillary Craniopharyngioma (papCP): It is predominantly diagnosed in adults
• A Craniopharyngioma is classified as a WHO grade I brain tumor, meaning that it is a low-grade tumor. Grade I tumors are the most benign of the tumors. They are slow-growing and are not known to infiltrate into the surrounding tissues. They offer a very high chance for surgery to be curative; and thus, have the best prognosis among all brain tumors with long-term survival being noted
• The cause of formation of Craniopharyngioma is not well-established. It is believed that an abnormal development of the embryonic tissue during early pregnancy may be causative. In general, brain tumors may form from a combination of several factors including genetic, environmental, and lifestyle-related. The risk factors may include the presence of certain genetic disorders, exposure to ionized radiation, viral infections, and head trauma
• Apart from headaches, seizures, muscle weakness, and dizziness, the signs and symptoms of Craniopharyngioma are typically associated with hormonal deficiencies in the body. Often, the tumor causes an obstruction of cerebrospinal fluid flow leading to hydrocephalus. The tumor is also associated with vision defects and neurological abnormalities including memory loss and personality changes. Severe complications may develop during/from treatment too
• The treatments for Craniopharyngioma is usually challenging but may primarily involve surgery and/or radiation therapy. Hormonal therapy is an important component of treatment, depending on the specific combination of signs and symptoms noted for each individual. Sometimes, removing the tumor can worsen the signs and symptoms in some individuals
• The prognosis depends on a wide variety of factors, including the size and histological type of the tumor, and overall health status of the individual. In a majority, the long-term prognosis of Craniopharyngioma may be unpredictable; however, continued vigilance, medical screening, and follow-up treatments are mandatory for prolonged periods. The outcomes also depend on the histological subtype of the tumor. Papillary subtypes have better prognosis when compared to the adamantinomatous subtypes

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