Craniopharyngiomas are benign, partially cystic epithelial tumors.
This tumor usually arises in the sellar region from remnants of Rathke’s pouch.
Craniopharyngiomas are the most common non-glial brain tumors in children and the third most common intracranial brain tumor in children, after medulloblastomas and gliomas:
- Comprise 6-10% of all childhood brain tumors
- Comprise only 1.2- 4% of brain tumors in adults
- Peak incidences in children are between 5-14 years of age.
- A second peak occurs later in life, between 50-60 years of age.
- There is no apparent sex predilection for these tumors.
Table: Summary of incidence characteristics of craniopharyngiomas
Incidence among children |
6 - 10% (of all pediatric brain tumors) |
Incidence among adults |
1.2 - 4% (of all adult tumors) |
Most common location |
Suprasellar region |
Proportion of suprasellar tumors that are craniopharyngiomas |
50% |
Peak age of incidence in children |
5 - 14 years |
Peak age of incidence in adults |
50 - 60 years |
Gender bias |
None |
Racial bias |
None |
