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Pituitary disease and tumors

Pituitary tumors are growths that form in your pituitary gland (at the base of the brain). Many pituitary tumors are small, do not cause symptoms and may not need specific treatment. We treat pituitary tumors that cause hormone disturbances or press on nearby structures, causing vision problems, headaches and nausea.

Early diagnosis is essential in the treatment of pituitary disorders. If left untreated, some pituitary tumors can grow and can compress the optic nerve, brain or the pituitary gland itself.  

 

What you should know about pituitary disease and tumors

  • Your pituitary gland is responsible for storing and secreting hormones. These hormones regulate everything from energy and metabolism, growth and the production of sex hormones as well as the body's temperature, urine production and other functions.  
  • We often treat pituitary tumors by surgically removing them. Pituitary surgery is minimally invasive, performed through the nose using small cameras (endoscopes), and many patients can go home within 2 to 3 days. It has a very high success rate. For those tumors where surgery isn’t an option, we have other treatment options. 

 

Why choose Geisinger for the care of pituitary disease and tumors?

  • We fast-track pituitary surgery: Patients can see all specialists, including a surgeon and a neuro-endocrinologist, in one appointment. We communicate seamlessly to schedule the patient for surgery as soon as within one week after your consultation. Patients are anxious and may be dealing with vision problems or headaches. We treat you as quickly as possible, so that you can get back to living your fullest life. 
  • We offer multiple ways to treat tumors: Pituitary surgery has a low rate of complications and is less invasive than other kinds of brain surgery. However, surgery is not right for all types of tumors. For tumors not requiring surgery, but still needing treatment, we use medication or radiation therapy to shrink the tumor. 
  • We provide thorough follow-up care: We monitor you carefully after treatment. In some cases, the tumor may grow back. For those tumors, we provide specific and effective therapies. Geisinger patients benefit from the combined expertise and comprehensive care approach of our team of neurosurgeons, endocrinologists and radiation oncologists.

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