Craniopharyngioma
retrospective analysis of clinical manifestations, treatment, and outcome of patients at a university center
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18554/refacs.8895Keywords:
Craniopharyngioma, Pituitary neoplasms, HypopituitarismAbstract
Objective: to describe clinical, radiological, and endocrinological characteristics at diagnosis, as well as to evaluate therapeutic approaches, histopathological findings, the evolution of visual and hormonal abnormalities, and the occurrence of tumor recurrence or residual disease during follow-up. Methods: a retrospective descriptive study based on a review of medical records of patients diagnosed with craniopharyngioma who were followed at the Neuroendocrinology Outpatient Clinic of the Hospital de Clínicas at the Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro in Uberaba/MG, Brazil, between January 2013 and October 2025. Results: twelve patients were included, with a predominance of diagnoses in the pediatric age group. The most frequent initial manifestations were headache, visual disturbances, and hormonal deficits. Most patients exhibited impairment of multiple pituitary axes at the time of diagnosis. All patients underwent surgical treatment, which resulted in increased hormonal deficiencies postoperatively. Residual lesions or tumor recurrence were observed in more than half of the cases. Conclusion: craniopharyngioma is associated with high morbidity from the time of diagnosis and is frequently linked to significant visual and endocrinological impairment. Surgical treatment is essential for tumor control but may exacerbate hormonal dysfunction. Management requires long-term follow-up and a multidisciplinary approach aimed at disease control and functional preservation.
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