Pituitary Tumors (Pituitary Adenomas)
How We Can Help You
As their name implies, pituitary tumors develop in the pituitary gland. The gland is located at the center of the skull base, between the sinus cavity and the brain. Though these are noncancerous, slow-growing tumors, they can invade other structures and become challenging to treat and cure.
Stanford has pioneered surgical techniques to improve outcomes with tumor removal and to reduce complications from surgery. As a result, people have come from all over the world to get their care here.
WHAT WE OFFER YOU FOR PITUITARY TUMORS
- Globally-recognized expertise in the treatment of pituitary tumors.
- Team-based treatment planning that brings together specialists from neurosurgery, head and neck surgery, neuroradiology, neuropathology, neuroendocrinology, neuro-ophthalmology, and more.
- Access to advanced imaging including neuro-navigation of the brain to help surgeons more
- An active clinical research program dedicated to broadening options for the diagnosis and treatment of pituitary tumors.
- Assistance from our International Medical Services team to plan your travel and accommodations.
Treatment Options for Pituitary Tumors
Careful collaboration between a variety of specialists help focus recommendations for treatment of pituitary tumors. Many pituitary tumors do not require immediate treatment.
Active Surveillance
If you have a small tumor that isn’t causing symptoms, your doctor may recommend periodic MRI imaging and physical exams without other interventions.
Surgery
If surgery is recommended, an endoscopic endonasal approach is a scarless surgery that allows your surgeon to follow the natural pathway through your nostril to reach the tumor. The Stanford team is known around the world for its command of neuroanatomy and ability to deliver more precise, safer, gentler operations. That has allowed for complete removal of tumors once thought impossible to fully remove – especially those that have grown into the complex anatomy behind the sinuses and near the brain space.
Our operating rooms are equipped with 4K and 3D endoscopic equipment to better visualize the tumor and highly specialized instruments designed by the Stanford team to improve the gentleness and success of the operations.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy may be recommended after surgery to attack any residual cancer cells.
- Stereotactic Radiosurgery – A computer-guided delivery system is used to deliver highly focused beams of x-ray radiation to the tumor, while minimizing effects to the surrounding tissue. While radiation does not remove the tumor, it can be effective in stopping the growth of a tumor.
- Intensity-modulated radiation therapy – 3D images help the target the tumor with radiation beams from many different angles and with varying doses to target the tumor and avoid surrounding healthy tissues.
Drug Therapy
Our endocrinologists are highly experienced in diagnostic strategies, the administration of replacement hormones and drugs to block hormone excess syndromes, as well as investigational drugs for the treatment of pituitary disorders, such as Cushing's disease, acromegaly and growth hormone deficiency.
Our highly trained clinical nursing specialists offer patient education, including teaching self-administration of medications requiring injection, and assist with specialized hormone testing procedures.
Clinical Trials for Pituitary Tumors
Clinical trials evaluate new approaches, devices, or medications in the treatment of pituitary tumors. Ask your doctor or clinical trials coordinator about available trials that may be additional options for your care.
To learn more about the clinical trials we offer, contact Maria Coburn at 650-736-9551.
To schedule an appointment, please call: 650-723-6469
Pituitary Tumors (Pituitary Adenomas)
Pituitary tumors develop in the pituitary gland. The gland is located at the center of the skull base, between the sinus cavity and the brain. Though these are noncancerous, slow-growing tumors, they can invade other structures and become challenging to treat and cure.