What to do if a pituitary tumor recurs?

Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
Updated on September 04, 2024
00:00
00:00

If a pituitary tumor recurs, there is no need to worry excessively. Instead, it is advisable to actively visit the local hospital for a cranial MRI with contrast to determine the specific location and severity of the recurrent pituitary tumor. Treatment plans should be decided based on the patient's condition. For patients who are eligible for surgery, it is recommended to opt for surgical removal of the pituitary tumor again. If the patient is elderly and frail and cannot withstand surgery, conservative treatment is recommended. Treatment can be carried out through medication or radiation therapy, among other methods, to help improve symptoms and enhance the quality of life.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
49sec home-news-image

Pituitary tumor examination items

For patients with pituitary tumors, it is first recommended to perform a cranial CT or MRI examination, and if necessary, a cranial MRI with contrast and a pituitary MRI with contrast can be done to help determine the specific location, size, and relationship of the pituitary tumor with surrounding important blood vessels and nerves. Additionally, blood tests are needed to examine the levels of endocrine hormones in the body, including cortisol, growth hormone, prolactin, thyroid hormones, and other related hormone levels. Furthermore, further examinations of the patient's cardiopulmonary function, such as electrocardiograms, echocardiograms, and chest CT scans, are also required.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
43sec home-news-image

Postoperative complications of pituitary tumor surgery

For patients with pituitary tumors, a range of complications, sequelae, or concomitant ailments can easily occur after surgery. For instance, postoperative sellar hematoma may occur, and some patients may even experience the rupture of a pseudoaneurysm. Additionally, some patients may repeatedly suffer from headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and weakness in the limbs after surgery, along with significant memory decline, reduced cognitive function—including calculating ability, and orientation in time, space, and person—gradually diminishing. These are considered postoperative sequelae of pituitary tumor surgery.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
41sec home-news-image

What to do if a pituitary tumor recurs?

If a pituitary tumor recurs, there is no need to worry excessively. Instead, it is advisable to actively visit the local hospital for a cranial MRI with contrast to determine the specific location and severity of the recurrent pituitary tumor. Treatment plans should be decided based on the patient's condition. For patients who are eligible for surgery, it is recommended to opt for surgical removal of the pituitary tumor again. If the patient is elderly and frail and cannot withstand surgery, conservative treatment is recommended. Treatment can be carried out through medication or radiation therapy, among other methods, to help improve symptoms and enhance the quality of life.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Guo Zhi Fei
Neurosurgery
47sec home-news-image

Which department should I go to for a pituitary tumor?

Pituitary tumors are a relatively common type of benign intracranial tumor. The main treatment method is surgical intervention, and patients usually see a neurosurgeon for this. The surgical approach can be minimally invasive, performed through the nasal cavity, and typically, complete removal of the tumor is achievable with a generally good prognosis. However, there is a type of pituitary adenoma called prolactinoma, which is sensitive to bromocriptine. It can be treated with bromocriptine without surgery, leading to a significant reduction or even disappearance of the tumor. Nevertheless, medication should be guided by a neurosurgeon, and it is still necessary to visit the neurosurgery department.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
46sec home-news-image

Is a 2cm pituitary tumor big?

In the case of pituitary tumors, if the size reaches two centimeters, it is relatively large. Under normal circumstances, pituitary tumors can be classified into several types based on their size: microadenomas are generally smaller than one centimeter, macroadenomas are larger than 1.0 centimeter, and giant adenomas are larger than 3.0 centimeters. Usually, a two-centimeter pituitary tumor is already considered a macroadenoma. Normally, such large pituitary tumors often compress the surrounding pituitary tissue, causing hypofunction of the pituitary tissue and significant hormonal disturbances, which can lead to a range of uncomfortable symptoms and signs in patients.