Advance Neurosurgery Brain & Spine Center

ADVANCE NEUROSURGERY

BRAIN & SPINE CENTER

Premier Center for Minimally Invasive Brain & Spine

Pituitary Adenoma


What is Pituitary Adenoma?

Ptuitary Adenoma is a benign, slow-growing tumor that arises from cells in the pituitary gland in the brain and are usually curable. They can be non functioning or functioning depending on presence or absence of hormone secretion from the tumor. These tumors are considered benign because they don't spread to other parts of the body, but they can still cause significant symptoms because of their location near the brain and because many of them secrete excess hormones. To understand pituitary tumors, it helps to know about the normal structure and function of the pituitary gland.

The Pituitary Gland

The pituitary is a small gland, located in the center of the skull, just behind the bridge of the nose, is about the size of a pea. It is an important link between the nervous system and the endocrine system and releases many hormones which affect growth, sexual development, metabolism and the system of reproduction. The pituitary is considered the "master control gland" because the hormones it makes control the levels of hormones made by most other endocrine glands in the body.

The pituitary gland has 2 parts, the posterior pituitary and the anterior pituitary, each of which has a distinct function.

What are the symptoms of Pituitary tumor?

The way a pituitary adenoma presents depends on the size of the tumor (micro or macroadenoma) and subtype of tumor. The two subtypes depend on whether they are hormone-producing (functional) or do not produce any functional hormones (nonfunctional).

Non functioning macroadenoma (size more than 1cm)

Often present with headache visual compromise and hypopituitarism (reduced hormone secretion).

Functioning Pituitary adenoma present depend on the type of hormone that is secreted in excess. They include :

Prolactinoma - The tumor consists of prolactin secreting cells and so it leads to high levels of prolactin in the body. The prolactin-secreting pituitary adenomas are the most common, and account for approximately 30% of all pituitary tumors. The clinical findings are galactorrhea and menstrual disturbance. In men, high prolactin levels can lower testosterone levels, leading to diminished sexual interest.

Growth Hormone secreting tumors - cause acromegaly in adults and gigantism in children. Acromegaly may present with changes in facial and extremity structures, including finger thickness, shoe size, jaw alignment, forehead prominence, tongue thickening, and several other physical findings. Acromegaly is often associated with hypertension, heart and lung disease, sleep apnea, and diabetes leading to decreased life span.

Cushings disease (ACTH secreting tumor) - This is a serious condition that affects many organs, and may result in hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, among several others. In addition, these tumors affect the general appearance of patients, causing weight gain, scalp hair loss, changes in body hair patterns, skin changes, and even mood/anxiety disorders.

How are pituitary tumors managed?

Management of pituitary adenoma mainly depends on its size, hormone status and status of the vision.

Medical management

1. Prolactinomas or prolactin secreting tumors can be treated without surgery in a large percentage of patients. Cabergoline and bromocriptine are the drugs that are prescribed especially if the patients vision is maintained. In case there is a bleed or patient's vision is compromised than a decision to operate such cases may be taken.

2. Residual growth hormone secreting tumors (tumors left after attempted surgery) are further treated with Sandostatin or Pegvisomant. Depending on the response the treating team may consider for adjuvant radiation therapy.

Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Surgical excision of the tumor

In today's era this is the mainstay of treatment of pituitary tumors. Team of Surgeons utilize the endoscope attached to a video camera for performing the endocopic transsphenoidal excision of pituitary adenomas. This surgery is performed through the nose thereby avoiding any incision to the face or the scalp. It results in less pain and a faster recovery than traditional surgery.

Radiation therapy

Gamma Knife radiosurgery is a highly advanced form of radiotherapy that is used to target the residual tumor.e. However, with Gamma Knife it can take several years for elevated hormone levels to return to normal, rather than days or weeks as with traditional surgery.

Gamma Knife is an outpatient procedure, does not involve any incisions, and requires only brief sedation under general anesthetic.

Why choose us


International Training & Experience

Dr Asheesh Tandon and his team has been trained internationally at Toronto Western hospital and POW hospital Sydney with extensive exposure for endoscopic excision of such tumors.

Low Cost surgery

In this era where in neurosurgical facilities have become exorbitantly costly our center is able to provide treatment at the lowest cost without compromising on the result.

Multidisciplinary Care

Using a multidisciplinary care approach, our ENT and neuro- surgeons work closely with endocrinologists and ophthalmologists to ensure that our patients receive the best plan of treatment possible.

 

Postal Address

Advance Neurosurgery
Brain & Spine Center

Beside Aditya Super Speciality Hospital, MLB School Road, Napier Town, Jabalpur (Central India) 482002

Clinic Timings

Morning: 12:00pm - 02:00pm
Evening: 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Sunday : Closed

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