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Pituitary tumor
Is a pituitary tumor easy to treat?
Currently, the treatment technology for pituitary tumors is relatively mature. For early-stage pituitary microadenomas that are only a few millimeters in size, and where vision and visual fields are not yet affected, a definite diagnosis can be made. Under the surgical microscope, complete removal surgery is achievable, and it is possible to preserve the normal function of the pituitary gland. As surgical experience continues to increase, not only can tumors within the sella be removed, but even large adenomas or giant pituitary adenomas growing above the sella can be safely excised. Therefore, for patients with pituitary tumors, it is advisable to choose to visit a local hospital as early as possible and opt for a complete removal of the pituitary tumor through a transnasal transsphenoidal approach.
What is a pituitary tumor?
Pituitary tumors refer to a type of benign tumor that occurs at the site of the pituitary fossa. Generally, they grow relatively slowly. In the early stages of the disease, there are usually no obvious symptoms or signs. Some patients may occasionally feel mild headaches or dizziness, which most can tolerate. As the size of the pituitary tumor gradually increases, it often affects the surrounding critical tissues, nerves, and organs, primarily impacting pituitary function, thereby leading to pituitary hypofunction. This affects the secretion of endocrine hormones in the body, causing abnormal secretion of endocrine hormones, and resulting in a series of symptoms and signs. For example, male patients may experience abnormalities in the secretion of male hormones, leading to difficulties with erection, while female patients are likely to experience menstrual disorders and irregular menstruation.
Can pituitary tumors be cured?
Currently, for the treatment of pituitary tumors, it is generally recommended in clinical practice to opt for a complete resection via a transnasal-transsphenoidal approach. Most patients can achieve good therapeutic outcomes through surgery. The main goals of surgically treating pituitary tumors are to remove the tumor, decompress the visual pathways, and help restore and maintain the function of the pituitary and other neurological functions. Most patients can achieve good therapeutic results after treatment. Additionally, after receiving treatment, patients' original symptoms gradually alleviate or even disappear, and no longer worsen. Therefore, from this perspective, it is recommended that all symptomatic pituitary tumor patients should timely seek medical consultation at local hospitals and receive early treatment.
How to treat pituitary tumors?
Currently, the treatment of pituitary tumors can generally be conducted through various methods such as surgery, medication, and radiation therapy. The specific choice of treatment for a patient depends on the patient's individual circumstances, including factors such as gender, age, the current size of the pituitary tumor, whether there is damage to other vital organs, and the patient's overall condition. For most symptomatic patients, surgery is usually recommended. Clinically, it is generally recommended to choose transnasal transsphenoidal surgery for complete removal, which often achieves very good therapeutic effects. However, for some pituitary tumors located in special positions where complete surgical removal is not achievable, radiation therapy or Gamma Knife surgery can be used in conjunction.
What should I do about a pituitary tumor?
When a pituitary tumor occurs, we generally recommend surgery as the treatment method. Of course, specific analysis should be done based on the individual circumstances of the patient before surgery. In cases where the tumor is small and there are no obvious clinical symptoms—discovered incidentally during other related examinations—such patients can temporarily take medication and should be closely monitored with regular follow-ups to observe any changes in their condition. However, for patients who have clear clinical symptoms and display endocrine hormone imbalances, such as men experiencing significant erectile dysfunction and women having menstrual disorders, surgery is generally recommended as the treatment method.
Can pituitary tumors cause headaches?
For patients with pituitary tumors, headaches may occur. Most patients in the early stages often experience mild headaches located behind the eye sockets, the forehead, and on both sides of the temporal area. These headaches are generally tolerable and occur intermittently. They are mostly caused by the stimulation of the tumor or the increased pressure inside the sella. When the tumor enlarges to a certain extent and breaks upward through the diaphragm sellae, headaches are often alleviated. However, if the tumor further grows into surrounding tissues, it might compress important blood vessels and nerves, resulting in recurring pain with increasing severity.
What to do if a pituitary tumor recurs?
If a pituitary tumor recurs, there is no need to worry excessively. Instead, it is advisable to actively visit the local hospital for a cranial MRI with contrast to determine the specific location and severity of the recurrent pituitary tumor. Treatment plans should be decided based on the patient's condition. For patients who are eligible for surgery, it is recommended to opt for surgical removal of the pituitary tumor again. If the patient is elderly and frail and cannot withstand surgery, conservative treatment is recommended. Treatment can be carried out through medication or radiation therapy, among other methods, to help improve symptoms and enhance the quality of life.
Postoperative complications of pituitary tumor surgery
For patients with pituitary tumors, a range of complications, sequelae, or concomitant ailments can easily occur after surgery. For instance, postoperative sellar hematoma may occur, and some patients may even experience the rupture of a pseudoaneurysm. Additionally, some patients may repeatedly suffer from headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and weakness in the limbs after surgery, along with significant memory decline, reduced cognitive function—including calculating ability, and orientation in time, space, and person—gradually diminishing. These are considered postoperative sequelae of pituitary tumor surgery.