Pituitary Tumor Treatment (Cont.)

Healthcare Providers Involved in Pituitary Tumor Treatment

There are usually several healthcare providers involved in a person's pituitary tumor treatment. The doctor may refer patients to doctors who specialize in treating pituitary tumors, or patients may ask for a referral. Specialists who treat pituitary tumors include:
 
  • Endocrinologists
  • Medical oncologists
  • Radiation oncologists
  • Neurosurgeons.
     

Second Opinions on Pituitary Tumor Treatment

Sometimes, it is helpful to have a second opinion regarding your diagnosis and the pituitary tumor treatment plan. Some insurance companies require a second opinion; others may cover a second opinion if the patient or doctor requests it.
 

Pituitary Tumor Treatment Options

Depending on the type and extent of the pituitary tumor, treatment options include:
 
  • Surgery (removing the tumor in an operation)
  • Radiation therapy (using high-dose x-rays to kill tumor cells)
  • Drug therapy
  • Chemotherapy
  • A combination of these methods.
     
Surgery
Surgery is a common pituitary tumor treatment. A doctor may remove the tumor using one of the following operations:
 
  • A transsphenoidal surgery (in which the tumor is removed through an incision in the nasal passage
  • A craniotomy (in which the tumor is removed through an incision in the front of the skull).
     
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy (also known as radiotherapy) uses high-energy x-rays or other radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. The source of the radiation is usually a machine outside the body (external radiation therapy).
 
Clinical trials are testing stereotactic radiation surgery, in which radiation is aimed at the tumor only, with less damage to healthy tissue. A CT scan or MRI scan is used to find the exact location of the tumor. A rigid head frame is attached to the skull, and high-dose radiation is directed to the tumor through openings in the head frame, so only a small amount of normal brain tissue is affected. This procedure does not involve surgery. Radiation therapy may be used alone or in addition to surgery or drug therapy.
(Pituitary Tumor Treatment Continued: Page 3)

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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD