How Are Pituitary Tumors Treated?

A pituitary tumor seems to be an abnormal tissue mass in the pituitary gland. It may affect how well this gland regulates hormones. Thus, the gland may produce too many hormones or not enough. Thankfully, it appears that pituitary tumors are not often cancerous. They may then be called adenomas and stay inside or around the pituitary gland.

Patients seem to have a few pituitary tumor treatments available to them. Many doctors may want to try medications for pituitary tumors first. Some patients may need surgery for pituitary tumors. Any natural remedies for pituitary tumors may only act as supports to traditional options. One example of such a remedy appears to be acupuncture for pituitary tumors. However, the best treatment for pituitary tumors may vary. Thus, patients may wish to understand all treatments and discuss each with their doctor.

Craniotomy

Patients with pituitary tumors may undergo a craniotomy to remove the tumor. This seems to be a fairly common surgery. However, it appears that only skilled neurosurgeons can perform them. Individuals seem to receive general anesthesia when they need this procedure. The surgeon may start by shaving a part of the patient's scalp. This can create the room they need to remove a piece of the patient's skull. They may drill a hole and remove a flap of bone. Ideally, this should expose the pituitary gland so that they have a visual of the tumor. At this point, surgeons may attempt to remove the entire tumor. However, to avoid causing brain damage, they may only be able to remove part of it. Surgeons should repair or replace the piece of the skull that they remove. They may do so with screws, wires, or plates.

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Stereotactic Radiosurgery

It seems that medication may be preferred for pituitary tumors. However, sometimes this may not control the tumor enough. Some patients may have a pituitary tumor that is likely to grow as well. If this is the case, doctors may recommend stereotactic radiosurgery. Patients may need it for tumors that cannot be removed with surgery or for recurring tumors. This form of radiation does not appear to need any invasive surgery. In addition, it may need fewer doses of radiation to be effective than the traditional form. Patients may get one to five doses for a pituitary tumor. They may receive these doses through a linear accelerator or gamma knife.

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Dopamine Agonists

Dopamine may be the most complex neurotransmitter in the brain. It seems to influence an individual's mood, memory, and behavior, among other functions. However, a pituitary tumor may negatively affect dopamine levels. This may be why some patients take dopamine agonists for their tumor. This medication appears to imitate dopamine. It may replace what patients lost. Unfortunately, older versions may have significant cardiovascular side effects. Thus, patients may wish to try newer forms, as they may come with fewer side effects. The newer ones seem to target specific dopamine receptors more.

This type of medication may result in severe withdrawal if patients cannot follow their doctor's instructions. These instructions may be the dose as well as how to taper off. Withdrawal may include pain problems and organ failure. On this medication, patients may need to stop driving. This avoidance may be needed as this type of medication seems to trigger dizziness and sleepiness. High doses appear to result in compulsive behaviors and mental health issues.

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Somatostatin Analogs

In some cases, pituitary tumors may force the body to create too many hormones. These excess hormones may result in a symptom set called carcinoid syndrome. If a patient's pituitary tumor does this, they may take somatostatin analogs. This medication seems to be an artificial form of somatostatin. This substance seems to help the body with hormone regulation. It should slow the production of gut hormones, insulin, and growth hormone, among others. It seems to be a crucial part of stomach and bowel emptying as well. Taking this medication may help patients with pituitary tumors and carcinoid syndrome. Specific symptoms it treats may include skin flushing and diarrhea. This medication may also be able to shrink the patient's tumor.

This type of medication seems to be given through an injection every four weeks. Nurses should give the injections to patients. However, they may also teach patients how to do it themselves.

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External Beam Radiation

External beam radiation seems to be a common type of radiation therapy used on cancerous tumors. Thus, doctors may reserve it for cancerous pituitary tumors. The doses of radiation in this treatment should shrink the tumor. They may also destroy cancer cells at the same time. This form of radiation appears to be done with a linear accelerator. This X-ray machine should deliver the doses at any angle. They may also help shape the beams to the patient's tumor.

This machine does not seem to touch the patient at any point. It should simply move around their body. Focused radiation should provide more targeted treatment, which can help with pituitary tumors that have not spread. The focused beams appear to reduce damage to surrounding healthy tissue and other organs. This may be especially good for pituitary tumors, since the brain is close.