Postoperative complications of pituitary tumor surgery

Written by Chen Yu Fei

Neurosurgery

Updated on August 31, 2024

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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.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei

Neurosurgery

52sec

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How is a pituitary tumor caused?

At present, there is no definitive conclusion on how pituitary tumors are formed and further developed. Clinically, it is mostly believed to be the result of a combination of congenital genetic factors and adverse environmental factors acquired later in life. For patients with pituitary tumors, they are often seen in some special familial genetic diseases. In the family medical history, a tendency for a higher accumulation of family members can be observed. Additionally, some pituitary tumor patients are also found in clear familial genetic endocrine diseases. Moreover, patients who are overworked, fatigued, under stress, and experience endocrine hormone disorders are also affected. Exposure to radioactive contamination and chemical carcinogens can also potentially lead to pituitary tumors.

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Written by Gao Yi Shen

Neurosurgery

59sec

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How much does a pituitary tumor grow in a year?

At present, in clinical practice, there is no evidence to show how much a pituitary tumor can grow in a year, because the specific pathological nature of pituitary tumors varies, the overall health status of an individual differs, as well as whether a corresponding disease mechanism has developed, and whether regular treatment has been administered. These factors definitely influence the pituitary tumor. For some benign or non-functioning pituitary tumors, the growth is very slow after certain treatments, and they will not recur or grow after surgical intervention. However, sometimes, malignant pituitary tumors can grow very quickly within a year, significantly affecting the surrounding nerve tissues due to compression. Therefore, it is crucial to have regular follow-ups or seek early treatment if a pituitary tumor is present, as this is the best approach to treatment.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei

Neurosurgery

53sec

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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

48sec

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Are pituitary tumors prone to recurrence?

Pituitary tumors in the brain are benign tumors that grow slowly. When the tumor size is relatively small, there are generally no clear symptoms or signs, and most patients can work, live, and study like normal people. It is recommended to treat pituitary tumors with surgical methods. Most pituitary tumors are benign. If they can be completely removed through microscopic surgery, or through the transnasal transsphenoidal approach, minimally invasive surgery can achieve ideal treatment results and generally will not recur. However, for individual patients with pituitary tumors, if the tumor is malignant, it may easily adhere to surrounding tissues in the early stages, making it difficult to completely remove surgically, thus it is prone to recurrence.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei

Neurosurgery

41sec

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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.