It is a well differentiated pseudopapillary neoplasm of the suprasellar and sellar regions
other term used is suprasellar papillary squamous epithelioma
The origin of this lesion is unknown but suggested possibility is from Rathke cleft cyst.
Clinical features
unlike classical adamantinomas, papillary craniopharyngioma as usually occur in adults
These tumors may have affect on the visual system, CSF flow, personality and mental capacity
Site:
Lesions are commonly suprasellar than intrasellar
Many tumors occur with in third ventricle
Gross
Lesions may be solid or cystic or a cyst with small papillary nodule
Calcifications are rarely seen
Microscopic findings
Tumor is composed of sheets of well differentiated squamous cells separated by prominent cores of fibrovascular stroma
Cellular sheets dehisce to create prominent pseudopapillae
Small epithelial whorls may be present
Palisading basal cell layer may not be prominent
Stellate reticulum is usually absent
Goblet cells and ciliated cells may be focally present
Calcifications are usually absent
Immunohistochemistry
Positive for – Cytokeratins, EMA, CK-7 (Superficial and non-basal layer)
Negative for– CK-8, and CK 20.
Treatment – surgical resection
Reference
Peter C. Burger, Bernd W. Scheithauer. Craniopharyngiomas. In: Tumors of the central nervous system. AFIP Atlas of tumor pathology Series 4. Chapter 15. 461-470