How to treat pituitary tumors?

Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
Updated on September 08, 2024
00:00
00:00

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.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
39sec home-news-image

Is a pituitary tumor serious?

Pituitary tumors are mostly benign. The tumors grow slowly, but due to their special location adjacent to the pituitary gland, when the size of the pituitary tumor increases to a certain extent, it will inevitably affect the pituitary, impairing its function and leading to pituitary dysfunction. This dysfunction manifests as endocrine hormonal imbalances, resulting in a series of symptoms and signs. Therefore, it is usually recommended to treat pituitary tumors surgically. Clinically, it is generally advised to choose the transnasal transsphenoidal approach for complete resection of the pituitary tumor.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
53sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
50sec home-news-image

Is a pituitary tumor scary?

For pituitary tumors, if not treated promptly and effectively, the continuous enlargement of the tumor often causes patients to experience recurring symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. Additionally, a series of endocrine hormone imbalances accompanying the tumor often manifest various symptoms and signs. When the pituitary tumor grows to a certain size, it can also potentially cause pituitary apoplexy. Therefore, it is advisable for patients with pituitary tumors to seek timely medical attention at local hospitals and undergo early surgical treatment. By opting for endonasal transsphenoidal surgery to completely remove the pituitary tumor, most patients can achieve very good treatment outcomes, with a gradual alleviation of existing symptoms.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
41sec home-news-image

Can pituitary tumors heal on their own?

Under normal circumstances, pituitary tumors generally do not heal spontaneously. Pituitary tumors are benign tumors and although they grow slowly, they tend to continue growing. When they enlarge to a certain extent, they produce a series of symptoms and signs, such as headaches behind the eye sockets, the forehead, and both temporal sides. If the tumor breaks through the sellar diaphragm, it might also affect the optic nerve, leading to decreased vision and visual field defects. Moreover, it can severely erode the pituitary gland, causing symptoms and signs like decreased pituitary function, endocrine hormone disorders, and bringing significant suffering to the patient.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
44sec home-news-image

How many days of hospitalization for pituitary tumor surgery?

For patients with pituitary tumors, it normally takes about one to two weeks to undergo surgery and be hospitalized. After surgery, it is appropriate for patients to rest in bed and refrain from getting up too early, mainly to monitor for any occurrence of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea. Premature activity might lead to cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea or even trigger intracranial infections. Additionally, after surgery, it is important to perform blood tests to check the levels of endocrine hormones in the body, primarily to assess whether important electrolyte and hormone levels are normal. If there are abnormalities, adjustments should be made promptly, and discharge can be considered once the patient's condition is stable.