Treatment for ACTH-Producing Pituitary Tumors
- Surgery to remove the tumor (usually transsphenoidal surgery), with or without radiation therapy
- Radiation therapy alone
- Drug therapy to stop the tumor from making ACTH
- A clinical trial of stereotactic radiation surgery.
Treatment for Growth Hormone-Producing Pituitary Tumors
- Surgery to remove the tumor (usually transsphenoidal surgery)
- Drug therapy to stop the tumor from making growth hormone
- Surgery followed by radiation therapy.
Treatment for Nonfunctioning Pituitary Tumors
Treatment for a nonfunctioning pituitary tumor can include:
- Surgery to remove the tumor (transsphenoidal surgery or craniotomy), followed by watchful waiting (closely monitoring a patient's condition without administering any treatment until symptoms appear or change). If the tumor recurs, doctors may use radiation therapy to treat it.
- Radiation therapy alone.
- Surgery followed by radiation therapy.
Treatment for Thyroid Hormone-Producing Tumors
Thyroid hormone-producing tumors may be treated with:
- Surgery to remove the tumor (usually transsphenoidal surgery), with or without radiation therapy
- Drug therapy to prevent the tumor from making hormones.
Treatment for Pituitary Carcinomas
Treatment for a pituitary carcinoma is usually palliative -- it is designed to relieve symptoms and improve the patient's quality of life. It is usually not possible to cure a pituitary carcinoma. Treatment for a pituitary carcinoma can include:
- Surgery to remove the cancer (transsphenoidal surgery or craniotomy), with or without radiation therapy
- Drug therapy to stop the tumor from making hormones
- Chemotherapy.
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