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Childhood Craniopharyngioma Treatment (PDQ®)

Patient Version
Last Modified: 05/17/2012

Recurrent Childhood Craniopharyngioma

Recurrent craniopharyngioma is a tumor that has recurred (come back) after it has been treated. The tumor may come back in the same area of the brain where it was first found.



Glossary Terms

craniopharyngioma (KRAY-nee-oh-fuh-RIN-jee-OH-muh)
A benign brain tumor that may be considered malignant because it can damage the hypothalamus, the area of the brain that controls body temperature, hunger, and thirst.
recur (ree-KER)
To come back or to return.
recurrent cancer (ree-KER-ent KAN-ser)
Cancer that has recurred (come back), usually after a period of time during which the cancer could not be detected. The cancer may come back to the same place as the original (primary) tumor or to another place in the body. Also called recurrence.
tumor (TOO-mer)
An abnormal mass of tissue that results when cells divide more than they should or do not die when they should. Tumors may be benign (not cancer), or malignant (cancer). Also called neoplasm.