Craniopharyngiomas is very slow growing tumor and their symptoms can take long time to appear. Because it is a benigin tumor which only make symptoms when it effects the surrounding structures due to inrease in their size
General cancer symptoms represent headaches and blurred vision. Cranial nerve deficits can lead to paralysis in the face and eye muscles. Nausea and vomiting, and a feeling of inefficiency have an attention to failures of adrenal hormones and thyroid hormones. Hydrocephalus (water on the brain) can arise when the outflow of cerebrospinal fluid (csf) is disturbed.
Their main symptoms include
- A headache
- Blurred vision
- Stunting
- Increased thirst (polydipsia)
- Increased urine output (polyuria)
Hormonal Disorders by a Craniopharyngioma
The craniopharyngioma may interfere with the function of the pituitary gland (pituitary) and its parent center hypothalamus. Both produce hormones that in turn regulate hormone production of other glands in the body (such as the thyroid gland). So the craniopharyngioma could ultimately influence the formation of various hormones in the body and as a result cause many different symptoms. Among the most common include short stature, obesity (obesity), diabetes insipidus and eating disorders.
Growth disorders such as short or tall stature can occur if the craniopharyngioma affect the production of growth hormone in the pituitary gland. In adults, this may lead to disorders of fat metabolism and acromegaly (enlargement of toes, fingers, chin and nose, hypertension , increased sweating , etc.).
Overweight and underweight, osteoporosis, and increased or decreased hair are possible consequences when deterioration in the production of the stress hormone cortisol in the adrenal glands is occur due to craniopharyngioma.
The craniopharyngioma may interfere in the fluid balance of the body: this is regulated by the antidiuretic hormone (adh), which formed in the hypothalamus, stored in the pituitary gland and is distributed into the bloodstream as they needed. It ensures that too much water is not excreted in the urine. In this way, blood adh also influences the salt concentration and blood pressure. It may also developed diabetes insipidus. Sufferers from this hormone deficiency disease divorced many liters of water in urine (polyuria) and need to drink a lot of water to stay hydrated, ( polydipsia ).
Craniopharyngioma can affect the distribution of female hormones (estrogens) and male (testosterone) sex hormones, which is controlled by the pituitary gland. Possible consequences is that the puberty is delayed or fails or menstruation is disturbed or fails.
Craniopharyngioma may also affect the function and hormone secretion of thyroid gland. With an excess of thyroid hormones, it maylead to palpitations , diarrhea and excessive sweating. However, if too few thyroid hormones are produced it solidify many metabolic processes. Cold sufferers face constipation, are tired and listless.