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.
