Small craniopharyngiomas can sometimes be removed completely without extensive surgery. Radiation therapy for small craniopharyngiomas is another treatment option.

Larger tumors are often treated with surgery and radiation therapy. The goal of surgery in these cases is to drain fluid present inside the tumor and remove some of the tumor. Trying to remove the entire tumor may damage the surrounding brain and pituitary gland. The combination of surgery and radiation leads to survival rates similar to those following complete surgical removal. The advantage of less extensive surgery is that it is less likely to damage nearby pituitary tissue, nerves, and brain tissue.

Young children's brains are more sensitive to the side effects of radiation therapy, so this treatment is not recommended for children younger than 3 years of age. Sometimes, young children undergo operations to shrink the tumor and relieve symptoms, and radiation is delayed for a few years until their brains are more completely formed and less sensitive to the side effects of radiation therapy.

In selected cases, these have been treated by injecting radioactive materials directly into the tumor. This approach has been reserved for craniopharyngiomas that come back after treatment, but it may be used as the only treatment. Last Revised: 11/09/2006