Pituitary Tumors

Delray Medical Center provides comprehensive diagnostic services and treatment for patients with pituitary tumors. Our team of specialists includes neurosurgeons, ear, nose & throat surgeons, endocrinologists, radiologists, pathologists and specially trained nurses.

Pituitary Gland

Tumors that begin formation in the pituitary gland are called pituitary tumors. The pituitary is a small gland that is located below the brain and above the nasal passages. The pituitary sits in a tiny bony space called the sella turcica.

The pituitary gland is connected directly to the hypothalamus. This connection provides the link between the brain and the endocrine system which facilitates in the creation of hormones. The pituitary gland is the gland that helps regulate the hormones that are created in the rest of the body. The pituitary gland has 2 parts, the anterior pituitary and the posterior pituitary.

Pituitary Tumor Formation

Most of the pituitary tumors that form are considered to be benign (non-cancerous) glandular tumors called pituitary adenomas. These tumors do not spread to other parts of the body, like other malignant cancers can do. Even though most pituitary tumors are benign, they have the ability to cause significant health problems because of their location near the brain. Many pituitary tumors secrete excess hormones which can cause problems for normal hormone function. While many pituitary tumors are benign, pituitary cancers (pituitary carcinomas) are considered to be very rare.

Treatment for Pituitary Tumors

Pituitary tumors are treated by using:

Surgery
Radiation therapy
Medicines that stop the tumor from making hormones

Surgical treatment of a pituitary tumor is necessary when the tumor compresses nerves and arteries at the base of the brain, or when the tumor causes loss of vision by putting pressure on optic nerves. There are two types of pituitary surgery including the minimally invasive endoscopic transsphenoidal approach and the transcranial approach, also known as craniotomy.

7 Key Benefits of Robotic Surgery

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a condition that may require surgery, you owe it to yourself to learn about all your options, including some of the most non-invasive surgical treatments available using robotic surgery. We live in a day and age when there are a myriad of medical advancements that can help us to live healthier, stronger and longer lives.

Through the use of robotic-assisted surgery, surgeons are now able to offer minimally invasive and more precise options for many complex surgical procedures—from knee replacements to cancer treatment.

To operate using the robotic system, a surgeon makes tiny incisions in the body and inserts miniaturized instruments and a high-definition three-dimensional camera. Sometimes skin incisions are not required at all. Then, from a nearby console, the surgeon manipulates those instruments to perform the operation.

During a robotic-assisted procedure, the surgeon uses master controls to manipulate the instruments, and the instruments translate that surgeon’s movements into precise movements inside your body. The surgeon is in control the whole time. The surgical system simply responds to the direction he or she provides.

For most patients, robotic surgery offers numerous benefits, including:

Reduced post-surgery pain
Less blood loss
Fewer and smaller scars
Increased precision for more accurate joint replacements
Faster recovery
Shorter hospital stay
Less risk of infection

Types of Robotic Surgery

Depending on the condition needed to be treated, there are different robotic surgery options. Not all hospitals offer all types, and some hospitals may have additional or other systems that use the same principles.

The systems allow for superior visualization, enhanced dexterity and improved control. If you feel that robotic surgery might be an appropriate treatment option for you, talk with your doctor to find out if you are a candidate for these innovative treatments.

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