Craniopharyngioma and Eating Disorders

Craniopharyngiomas (CPs) are rare brain tumours arising from the craniopharyngeal duct epithelium, with a bimodal peak incidence (5–15 years old and 50–74 years old). Primary clinical manifestations are visual impairment and endocrine deficits. Treatment comprises neurosurgery and radiotherapy and intracystic treatments in selected cases. A wide range of endocrine or neurological complications follow the treatment. Damage to the hypothalamus can result in a syndrome of hypothalamic obesity, which is typically a morbid obesity, resistant to basic weight loss interventions and contributing to the increased mortality of CP patients. Eating disorders play an important role in the pathogenesis of obesity, but other factors such as psychosocial disorders, sleep disturbances, decreased energy expenditure, hyperinsulinemia, and hypopituitarism should be considered.