Pituitary Tumors

Pituitary tumors, also known as pituitary adenomas, are abnormal growths that develop in the pituitary gland, a pea-sized gland located at the base of the brain. These tumors can be either non-cancerous or cancerous and can cause a range of symptoms.

Dr. Liu's approach to treating pituitary tumors is not only minimally invasive but also highly effective. He has successfully treated hundreds of patients with pituitary tumors using this technique, and his patients have reported high satisfaction rates and excellent outcomes.

If you have been diagnosed with a pituitary tumor, it is essential to seek the expertise of a skilled and experienced pituitary surgeon like Dr. Liu. With his innovative endoscopic endonasal approach, you can receive effective treatment with minimal disruption to your life.

  • The majority of pituitary tumors occur randomly and are not inherited genetically. The specific cellular processes that result in abnormal growth or hormone overproduction within the pituitary gland are not completely understood. As with many other types of tumors, the underlying cause of pituitary tumors is currently unknown.

  • Pituitary tumors typically cause symptoms either by disrupting hormone production or by pressing on surrounding neurovascular structures. Additional symptoms are dependent on the specific type of pituitary tumor, such as Cushing's disease, acromegaly, or hyperprolactinemia. The size and location of the tumor also contribute to symptom variation, as do its effects on hormone secretion (either over or underproduction). Additionally, the optic nerves are particularly vulnerable due to their close proximity to the pituitary gland. In some cases, patients with large tumors may experience pituitary apoplexy, a medical emergency that causes sudden onset of headaches, vision loss, double vision, and/or pituitary failure. Decompressive surgery is necessary in such cases.

  • Along with a thorough medical history, physical examination, and hormonal studies, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the preferred method for diagnosing pituitary tumors due to its high sensitivity in detecting these tumors at an early stage. While computed tomography (CT) may be helpful in some cases, visual studies are particularly important for evaluating any potential visual field defects caused by larger tumors that compress the optic pathways. Bitemporal hemianopsia, characterized by loss of peripheral visual field, is a common finding when a pituitary tumor compresses the optic chiasm.

  • There are three main options available for treating symptomatic pituitary tumors: medical treatment, surgery, and radiotherapy (such as Gamma Knife or conventional radiotherapy). In some cases, these treatments may be used in combination, particularly when surgical removal is incomplete. The primary objective of treatment is to alleviate pressure on nearby structures (typically the optic nerves or pituitary gland) and/or to restore normal hormone production levels.

    The overarching goals of therapy include improving quality of life and survival, relieving the effects of mass pressure and associated symptoms, normalizing hypersecretion of hormones, preserving or restoring normal pituitary function, and preventing the tumor from recurring.