From the Research
The two types of craniopharyngiomas are adamantinomatous and papillary craniopharyngiomas, as identified in the most recent study 1. These two types differ in their histological appearance and genetic profiles.
- Adamantinomatous craniopharyngiomas are more common in children and are characterized by their calcifications, cystic components, and finger-like projections that can infiltrate surrounding brain tissue.
- Papillary craniopharyngiomas, on the other hand, are more commonly found in adults and have a more solid appearance with less calcification. They tend to be more well-circumscribed and less invasive than the adamantinomatous type. The genetic profiles of these two types also differ, with adamantinomatous craniopharyngiomas often showing CTNNB1 gene mutations affecting beta-catenin, while papillary variants typically have BRAF V600E mutations, as supported by recent studies 1, 2. Understanding the type of craniopharyngioma is important for treatment planning and predicting behavior, though both types are benign tumors that develop near the pituitary gland and hypothalamus, as discussed in various studies 3, 4. The identification of these two types has significant implications for the management and treatment of craniopharyngiomas, with targeted therapies representing a significant advancement in the field of oncology, as highlighted in the most recent study 1.