How is a pituitary tumor treated?

When the patient is symptomatic, some form of treatment is usually indicated. The most common approach is surgery usually performed through the nose (or up under the lip). Occasionally (especially when the tumor is larger or extending to the side) a surgical approach may be best through a scalp incision. With large tumors, some tumor cells are almost always left behind following surgery. Additional treatment may be needed. This may include repeat surgery or radiation therapy. It is very important that hormone levels be checked periodically and replaced as necessary. It is also important to follow vision, visual fields, and imaging studies (MRI scan) to make sure that there is no re-growth of the tumor. These should probably be checked at least once every one to two years.