How to treat pituitary tumors?

Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
Updated on September 08, 2024
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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.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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Is a pituitary tumor easy to treat?

Our current understanding of pituitary tumors is quite deep, and we have accumulated rich treatment experience in the pathogenesis, disease progression, and treatment of pituitary tumors. Therefore, it is recommended to use surgical methods for pituitary tumor patients, especially those with obvious symptoms. Clinically, it is generally recommended to choose the transnasal-transsphenoidal approach for a complete resection of the pituitary tumor. For most patients, this can achieve good therapeutic effects. Moreover, with the continuous advancement of diagnostic techniques, early detection and treatment of small early pituitary microadenomas through complete surgical resection can also achieve good therapeutic outcomes.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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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.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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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.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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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.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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How long does it take to recover after pituitary tumor surgery?

For patients with pituitary tumors, about six months to a year after undergoing surgery, as the endocrine hormones in the body gradually return to normal, the patient's original symptoms or signs gradually diminish or even disappear, and the quality of the body also gradually recovers. At this time, patients often recover well. For such patients, it is necessary to visit the local hospital regularly after surgery for follow-up appointments, to have a cranial MRI to help assess the effects of the pituitary tumor surgery recovery, and to have blood drawn to test the endocrine hormones in the body to see if they have returned to normal levels. If there are still abnormalities, it is advisable to take medication to regulate them.