Causes of Craniopharyngioma
Craniopharyngioma are rare, slow-growing brain tumors. Usually benign, they tend to form near or around the pituitary gland or the pituitary stalk. The actual cause is not well understood, although there is some evidence that the tumors may actually begin forming during gestation (embryogenesis) from abnormal development of the pituitary gland. Other than this hypothesis, there really is very little understanding as to causes or contributing factors to the development of this condition.

Craniopharyngioma represent less than 5% of all pituitary brain tumors. They generally occur in two groups. Children can develop the tumors between the ages of 5 and 10. They occur less frequently in adults, but if they do, the adult will usually be between 50 and 60. While the tumors themselves are almost always benign, the symptoms they cause can be quite serious. Craniopharyngioma seem to occur equally in men and women.