- They account for about %10-%25 of brain tumors
- Mean age of patients with pituitary tumors is 20-50 years.
- Although symptoms largely depends on the type of the pituitary tumor, however, most patients present with headache.
- Female patients are typically afflicted with Prolactin or ACTH secreting tumors and males with Growth hormone secreting tumors.
- Depending on the different studies cited, they can be classified into 3 groups: benign, invasive adenoma, and carcinoma.
- Adenomas form the largest portion of pituitary tumors with an overall estimated prevalence of about 17%, but only a minority are symptomatic.
- Tumors less than 1 cm are classified as microadenoma and tumors equal or greater than 1 cm in size are called macroadenoma. – Macroadenoma have a higher probability of causing visual field defects due to pressing on optic chiasm.
- Prolactin secreting tumors are the most common pituitary tumors and respond well to non-surgical/medical treatment.
Surgical Treament of Pituitary Tumors
Pituitary Tumors are approached by a team of surgeons composed of a Skull Based trained ENT surgeon and a Neurosurgeon.
After patients are seen and evaluated by each member of the Pituitary Tumor Team, patients’ case is presented to the Eisenhower Brain Tumor Board and discussed.
