Craniopharyngioma is a common intracranial tumour constituting 6% to 13% of all childhood brain tumours and 1% to 3% of all adult brain tumours.[13]Cancer Research UK. Craniopharyngioma. Oct 2019 [internet publication].
https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/brain-tumours/types/craniopharyngioma
It is the most common sellar region tumour in childhood, and the most common non-glial intracranial tumour.[14]Puget S, Garnett M, Wray A, et al. Pediatric craniopharyngiomas: classification and treatment according to the degree of hypothalamic involvement. J Neurosurg. 2007 Jan;106(1 suppl):3-12.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17233305?tool=bestpractice.com
Although it may present at any age, a bimodal age distribution is reported with a peak between 5 and 14 years of age and between 50 and 70 years of age.[12]Haupt R, Magnani C, Pavanello M, et al. Epidemiological aspects of craniopharyngioma. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. 2006 Apr;19(suppl 1):289-93.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16700303?tool=bestpractice.com
[15]Nielsen EH, Feldt-Rasmussen U, Poulsgaard L, et al. Incidence of craniopharyngioma in Denmark (n = 189) and estimated world incidence of craniopharyngioma in children and adults. J Neurooncol. 2011 Sep;104(3):755-63.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21336771?tool=bestpractice.com
[16]Zacharia BE, Bruce SS, Goldstein H, et al. Incidence, treatment and survival of patients with craniopharyngioma in the surveillance, epidemiology and end results program. Neuro Oncol. 2012 Aug;14(8):1070-8.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22735773?tool=bestpractice.com
[17]Lithgow K, Pohl U, Karavitaki N. Craniopharyngiomas. In: Feingold KR, Anawalt B, Boyce A, et al, eds. Endotext [internet]. South Dartmouth, MA: MDText.com, Inc; 2000 (last updated 2019).
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538819
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30888745?tool=bestpractice.com
Craniopharyngioma is found worldwide. The age-adjusted incidence rate in the US is around 1.7 cases per 1 million person-years.[16]Zacharia BE, Bruce SS, Goldstein H, et al. Incidence, treatment and survival of patients with craniopharyngioma in the surveillance, epidemiology and end results program. Neuro Oncol. 2012 Aug;14(8):1070-8.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22735773?tool=bestpractice.com
Global incidence rates have been estimated at 1.34 cases per million per year in all ages, and 1.44 cases per million per year among children.[15]Nielsen EH, Feldt-Rasmussen U, Poulsgaard L, et al. Incidence of craniopharyngioma in Denmark (n = 189) and estimated world incidence of craniopharyngioma in children and adults. J Neurooncol. 2011 Sep;104(3):755-63.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21336771?tool=bestpractice.com
There is no sex difference in incidence.[4]Karavitaki N, Cudlip S, Adams CB, et al. Craniopharyngiomas. Endocr Rev. 2006 Jun;27(4):371-97.
https://academic.oup.com/edrv/article/27/4/371/2355225
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16543382?tool=bestpractice.com
[17]Lithgow K, Pohl U, Karavitaki N. Craniopharyngiomas. In: Feingold KR, Anawalt B, Boyce A, et al, eds. Endotext [internet]. South Dartmouth, MA: MDText.com, Inc; 2000 (last updated 2019).
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538819
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30888745?tool=bestpractice.com