Craniopharyngioma and Pregnancies

Craniopharyngiomas (CP) are rare hypothalamic-pituitary tumors found in young children, adolescents and adults. The management of PC remains complex, as their aggressive nature, invasive behavior and propensity to recur require sequential and balanced therapeutic attitudes, as well as follow-up in an expert center. Although patient survival rates are high, the consequences of the tumor and its treatment can lead to serious comorbidities and impaired quality of life, particularly in patients whose tumors extend to the hypothalamus. There is very little literature describing the outcome of pregnancy in craniopharyngioma patients and its impact on the craniopharyngioma. The largest study describes 6 women, mean age 24, who had a craniopharyngioma in childhood. Half of them had induced pregnancies; there is a succinct description of pregnancy complications and outcomes, as well as tumor progression.

In the endocrinology department of Pitié Salpêtrière hospital, the investigators regularly follow over a hundred patients of all ages who have presented with a craniopharyngioma in childhood or adulthood. They are also unique in having a medically assisted reproduction unit, which helps couples to realize their parental project. This dual specialization will enable to describe pregnancies and their impact on the behavior of craniopharyngiomas.