Diagnosis & treatment for craniopharyngioma by experts focused on you
An accurate diagnosis of craniopharyngioma is an important step toward providing you with the best care. At Mayo Clinic, you’ll have a team of craniopharyngioma experts focused on you. Our team has developed advanced diagnostic technology to analyze your specific craniopharyngioma location and work with you to make a treatment plan tailored to you. We know that getting answers quickly is important, so appointments are available within 48 hours of your phone call.
You’ll have an individualized care plan for your unique needs, and doctors from all disciplines across Mayo Clinic working together to give you the best possible outcomes. Our multi-disciplinary approach can help reduce hospital stays, shorten recovery times, and improve quality of life after treatment.
Advanced techniques and technologies.
The brain tumor team at Mayo Clinic offers a wide range of treatment options, including minimally invasive procedures. As a team they will guide you through the treatment plans to find the best choice for you.
These include:
- Open craniopharyngioma surgery (craniotomy), which involves opening the skull to access and remove tumor tissue.
- Minimally invasive craniopharyngioma surgery (transsphenoidal procedure), which involves inserting surgical tools through the nose and passing them through a natural corridor to access and remove tumor tissue.
- Advanced radiation therapies to precisely target tumor tissue and spare healthy tissue. These include proton beam therapy, intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), external beam radiation therapy, brachytherapy, and stereotactic radiosurgery.
- Targeted therapy for papillary craniopharyngioma
- Clinical trials
This image displays the radiology scanned imaging from a 3 Tesla MRI. The 3 Tesla MRI, while using a less powerful magnetic field compared to the 7 Tesla MRI, still provides clear and detailed images of the body's interior. It is commonly used in clinical settings to diagnose and monitor various medical conditions, offering valuable insights for patient care and treatment planning. However, the clarity of the images produced by the 3 Tesla MRI is not as high as that of the 7 Tesla MRI, which can impact the level of detail visible in the scans.
Mayo Clinic uses 7-Tesla MRI. This imaging system uses a stronger magnetic field to produce more detailed images of the body's interior. Detailed brain scans help Mayo Clinic care teams diagnose and treat patients diagnosed with brain tumors. This advanced imaging technology is key to ensuring patients receive an accurate diagnosis to guide treatment.
Expert care, delivered with compassion.
Mayo Clinic teams that specialize in craniopharyngioma treat more than 7,000 adults and children with brain and central nervous system cancers each year.
Mayo Clinic neurosurgeons pioneered surgical techniques for craniopharyngioma, including endoscopic resection and radiosurgery. With state-of-the-art research and laboratory facilities, our experts are constantly seeking new knowledge and innovations in diagnosis and treatment.
Nationally recognized for expertise.
Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota is ranked #1 for Neurology and Neurosurgery in the Midwest by U.S. News and World Report.
Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota is ranked #1 for Neurology care by Newsweek’s World’s Best Specialized Hospitals 2025 list.
In recognition of our scientific leadership in cancer care and research, Mayo Clinic was one of the first National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer centers and is the only such center with three unique locations today. Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center meets the strict standards for scientific excellence and a multispecialty approach focused on cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. One of the National Cancer Institute’s first designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers. Proudly recognized for our scientific leadership and resources.
While U.S. News only reports national specialty rankings and doesn't rank specialties at the regional or state level, Mayo Clinic evaluates whether a hospital outperforms others in its region or state based on national rankings.
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