Canadian Medical Guide > Diseases > Neoplasms > Neoplasms by Histologic Type > Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal > Neuroectodermal Tumors > Craniopharyngioma Terms and Definitions

Craniopharyngioma

Medical Definition:	A benign pituitary-region neoplasm that originates from Rathke's pouch. The two major histologic and clinical subtypes are adamantinous (or classical) craniopharyngioma and papillary craniopharyngioma. The adamantinous form presents in children and adolescents as an expanding cystic lesion in the pituitary region. The cystic cavity is filled with a black viscous substance and histologically the tumor is composed of adamantinomatous epithelium and areas of calcification and necrosis. Papillary craniopharyngiomas occur in adults, and histologically feature a squamous epithelium with papillations. (From Joynt, Clinical Neurology, 1998, Ch14, p50)
Guide Notes:	coord IM with PITUITARY NEOPLASMS (IM)
Also Called:	Craniopharyngioma, Adamantinous,Craniopharyngioma, Adult,Craniopharyngioma, Child,Craniopharyngioma, Papillary

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