Craniopharyngiomas

Although histologically benign, craniopharyngiomas often have a malignant course leading to premature death or neurological disability. Although open surgery and fractionated radiotherapy have historically been the mainstay of treatment, other more minimally invasive approaches had gained traction over the last few decades including stereotactic aspiration, brachytherapy, radiosurgery, and trans-sphenoidal microscopic and endoscopic methodologies. Molecular analyses have opened up the possibility of medical targeted therapies for some of these tumors as well. After a review of all these issues, treatment recommendations are made.