Craniopharyngioma

There are any one of the following craniopharyngioma treatment options.

1. Surgery

 It is the surgery to remove all or most of the tumor often recommended for people with craniopharyngioma. The type of surgery performed for the patients depends on the location and size of the tumor.

Firstly the surgery is open craniopharyngioma (craniotomy) in which a doctor opens the skull and removes the tumor through surgical instruments. Another minimally invasive technique of craniopharyngioma surgery is the transsphenoidal procedure. In this method, special surgical tools are inserted through the nose into the tumor. The tumor is removed without damaging the brain.

It is difficult to remove the entire tumor but in some cases, surgeons try to remove it all. Because of the many delicate and important structures nearby, sometimes doctors cannot remove the entire tumor for saving the patient’s life. In these situations, other treatments are used after surgery.

2. Radiation Therapy

External beam radiation therapy is used after surgery for the treatment of remaining craniopharyngioma. This treatment passes powerful energy beams, such as X-rays and protons, through the affected area to kill tumor cells. 

In proton beam therapy and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), doctors target the affected area through radiation carefully to protect the nearby healthy tissue cells. Specialized expert doctors are required. This technique is also known as external beam radiation technology.

Another type of radiation therapy called stereotactic radiosurgery may be recommended in rare cases. It is required when the tumor doesn't grow to the bundle of nerve fibers that transmits visual signals from the eye to the brain (optic nerve). The multiple beam radiations target the precise points of the affected area to kill the tumor cells.

Another type of craniopharyngioma radiation therapy is called brachytherapy in which radioactive material is directly placed into the tumor, where it can treat the tumor from the inside.

3. Chemotherapy

 Chemotherapy is a drug treatment in which specific medications are used to kill the tumor cells. In this method, chemotherapeutic drugs can be injected directly into the tumor which kills the targeted cells and mostly prevents damage to nearby healthy tissue.

4. Targeted Therapy for Papillary Craniopharyngioma

This is specifically used for the treatment of papillary craniopharyngioma. Targeted therapy involves drugs for the treatment of specific abnormalities within the tumor cells. Majorly the mutation occurs in BRAF genes of papillary craniopharyngioma cells. Targeted therapy targets this mutated gene for treatment. Specialized laboratory testing can identify the mutated BRAF gene in papillary cells.

5. Clinical Trials

 Researchers are experimenting with new treatment strategies that are based on the existing standard treatments. For exploring advanced techniques, clinical trials are conducted for testing the patients. But always consult the doctor regarding the eligibility of clinical trials, in some cases, these trials are being tested.

6. Follow-up Care

After completion of the treatment, lifelong treatment or follow-up is generally needed.

• If the tumor has been removed completely, follow-up tests and imaging tests are needed so that the tumor will not recur.
• The patients whose pituitary gland function is damaged by craniopharyngioma tumors then some medications are used for the replacement of hormonal production.

If individuals are feeling pressure on the brain, nerves, and blood vessels or feel frequent headaches then consult an oncologist immediately.

Craniopharyngioma Prognosis

Craniopharyngiomas are more likely to develop in children and adults. For the removal or inhibition of the tumor growth. Ongoing surveillance and lifelong monitoring are needed in children whose treatment becomes successful.