Pituitary Surgery
Pituitary tumors grow in the pituitary gland, a small gland behind the nose and underneath the brain. The pituitary gland plays a large role in stabilizing the hormones that control metabolism, growth, blood pressure, reproduction and many other essential processes.
Pituitary tumors can cause compression on the optic nerve. This nerve is responsible for taking the images you see to the brain so that you can process visual information. If left untreated, these tumors can lead to temporary or, in rare cases, permanent blindness.
Pituitary Surgery: Why Choose Memorial Healthcare System?
At our facilities, you will find:
- Innovative treatment: We offer an innovative procedure for pituitary tumors where we insert a special microscope through the nose to remove a tumor. This approach is less invasive and takes less time to set up, saving critical minutes in the case of emergency.
- Expertise: Our neurosurgery team is often among the first to implement the newest technologies and treatment options for pituitary tumors.
- Comprehensive services: We offer the full spectrum of services, including neurosurgery, oncology, neurocritical care and neurorehabilitation. This means that after your pituitary surgery, you won’t have to go anywhere else for your rehabilitation and follow-up care.
- A focus on you: Pituitary surgery can bring up a lot of concerns. We are here to help. From your first appointment, we give you a clear point-of-contact. This person is available to support you and your family from your initial diagnosis all the way through recovery.
Collaboration on Brain Tumor Treatment
Data shows that patients whose treatment involves a variety of specialists experience better outcomes. That’s why we conduct a monthly meeting called a tumor board to discuss our patients who have brain tumors, including pituitary tumors.
During this meeting, a team of highly skilled specialists meets to determine the best treatment plans for our patients. This multidisciplinary tumor board includes:
- Neurosurgeons: Specialists who treat injuries or diseases of the brain, spine or related nerves.
- Oncologists: Specialists who treat cancer and provides medical care for a person diagnosed with cancer.
- Otolaryngologists: Specialists who treat injuries or diseases of the ear, nose and throat.
- Pathologists: Specialists who diagnosis and manage human disease.
- Radiation oncologists: Specialists who use radiation therapy to shrink cancerous tumors.
Pituitary Tumor Surgery Overview
While most pituitary tumors are noncancerous, they can cause problems. These growths can cause hormonal changes that affect the thyroid and growth hormones. Patients with pituitary tumors might experience:
- Nausea
- Headaches
- Mood changes
- Weight changes
- Loss of peripheral vision
Pituitary surgery is a minimally invasive procedure. Minimally invasive surgery enables our neurosurgeons to perform surgery without making an incision in the patient’s skull or nose.
We can perform pituitary surgery with a surgical microscope or with an endoscope (flexible, lighted tube) and camera. By using the surgical microscope, we can treat patients much faster, saving crucial time in the event of an emergency. In non-urgent situations, we may use the endoscope and camera instead.
Surgery Through the Nose: What to Expect
In the past, pituitary surgery required large incisions so that the surgeon could see inside the body. Now, we use high-tech cameras inserted through the nose to project internal images onto a large screen to guide your surgeon.
With this approach, surgeons can zoom in and perform the surgery with greater precision. Patients also experience significant benefits from minimally invasive surgery, including:
- Smaller incisions
- Less blood loss
- Faster recovery
- Reduced pain
Contact Us
Call us today to schedule a new appointment or follow-up visit at 954-265-1490.
