Skull Base Tumors

Skull base tumors are growths that develop at the base of the skull, the area where your brain sits above your eyes, nose, ears and upper spine. Because the skull base contains important nerves, blood vessels and structures that control vision, hearing, balance and facial movement, even a small tumor can cause symptoms and affect your daily life. 

At Banner, our skull base specialists use advanced imaging, minimally invasive surgical techniques and personalized treatment plans to diagnose and treat skull base tumors.

What is the skull base?

The skull base is the bottom part of your skull that separates your brain from your eyes, ears, nose and neck. It contains many important structures, including:

• Cranial nerves that control vision, hearing, swallowing and facial movement
• Major blood vessels that supply blood to the brain
• The pituitary gland, which helps regulate hormones
• Openings that allow nerves and blood vessels to pass between the brain and body

Because so many critical structures are located in this area, skull base tumors often require specialized care sometimes with more than one specialist.

What are skull base tumors?

A skull base tumor is a mass located on or near the bones at the bottom of the skull. 

Some tumors begin in the skull base itself, while others develop in nearby tissues and grow into the area. These tumors can grow near blood vessels and delicate nerves that control your vision, hearing, swallowing and facial movement.

Not all skull base tumors are cancerous. In fact, many are benign (noncancerous) and grow slowly. However, even benign tumors may require treatment if they press on nearby nerves, blood vessels or brain tissue.

Types of skull base tumors

There are many different types of brain tumors that can affect this area. Some examples include:

• Meningiomas: These start in the cells of the membrane that lines your brain and spinal cord.
• Pituitary tumors: These form in the pituitary gland located in the skull base.
• Acoustic neuromas: These grow on the nerves that help your hearing and balance.
• Chordomas: These slow-growing tumors begin in the bones of the skull base or spine.
• Craniopharyngiomas: These rare, slow-growing benign tumors start near the pituitary gland. 
• Chondrosarcomas: These slow-growing cancerous tumors start in cartilage cells.   
• Olfactory neuroblastomas (esthesioneuroblastomas): These very rare cancerous tumors grow in the nasal cavity.   
• Paragangliomas: These growths are usually benign and are often found near blood vessels. 

Skull base tumor symptoms

Your symptoms will depend on the size, location and the structures it affects. Common symptoms include:

• Nosebleeds
• Loss of smell
• Facial pressure
• Vision changes like blurry or double vision
• Hearing loss
• Ringing in the ears
• Numbness or weakness in the face
• Trouble swallowing, sometimes with hoarseness or speech changes
• Trouble breathing
• Balance problems or clumsiness
• Headaches
• Neck pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Problems with memory or concentration
• Changes in behavior or mental state
• Hormone-related symptoms like weight gain or feeling more thirsty than usual

These symptoms could come from many different causes (not just brain tumors), so it’s important to get an accurate diagnosis. Reach out to a Banner Health specialist for an evaluation.

What causes skull base tumors?

In many cases, the exact cause of a skull base tumor is unknown. They often develop without a clear cause. 

Some factors may increase your risk:

• Toxins: Exposure to substances like wood dust, asbestos, formaldehyde, vinyl chloride, herbicides or arsenic
• Medical treatments: Previous radiation therapy in the head and neck area
• Genetic disorders: Inherited conditions passed down through families

Your symptoms will depend more on the tumor size and location than on what’s causing it. 

How skull base tumors are diagnosed

A skull base tumor diagnosis begins with a physical exam. Your health care provider will likely do a neurological exam to check your balance, vision, hearing and memory. They may also order:

• Imaging tests like MRI or CT scan to look closely at your brain
• Advanced imaging like bone scans, PET scans and endoscopy
• Endocrine testing to check your hormone levels
• Specialized vision and hearing testing, which can help identify the nerves the tumor is affecting
• Biopsy to examine a sample of the tumor, in some cases

Skull base tumor treatment options

Your skull base tumor treatment depends on the size, location and type of tumor. Your care team will work with you to find the best plan. Options may include:

• Monitoring your tumor over time without active treatment
• Surgery, including minimally invasive or endoscopic approaches that can remove the tumor through your nose
• Radiation therapy to target the tumor cells
• Medical therapy like chemotherapy or immunotherapy
• Physical therapy, rehabilitation and follow-up care

Why specialized skull base care matters

The skull base is a complex area with important nerves and blood vessels. Getting care from a specialized team is very important for your safety.

The skull base tumor care team at Banner Health includes experts in:

• Neurology
• Neurosurgery
• Otolaryngology (ENT)
• Endocrinology
• Ophthalmology 
• Oncology

They plan your treatment to control the tumor while protecting your brain health.

For diagnosis and treatment of skull base tumors and other conditions that affect the brain, make an appointment with a specialist at Banner Health.

FAQs

Are skull base tumors cancerous? 

These tumors can be cancerous or noncancerous. Many of them are benign, meaning they are not cancerous.

What are the symptoms of a skull base tumor? 

Symptoms can include headaches, balance problems and changes in your vision or hearing. Some people have trouble swallowing or facial numbness.

Can skull base tumors affect vision or hearing? 

Yes, these tumors can press on nerves and cause blurry vision, double vision or hearing loss.

Are skull base tumors hard to remove? 

Yes, they can be difficult to remove because they are located deep inside the head near critical brain areas.

Can skull base tumors be treated without surgery? 

Surgery is not always needed. Your doctor might suggest observing the tumor or treating it with radiation therapy or medications.

Learn more

• Brain tumors
• Types of brain tumors
• Head and neck cancer