Overview
A pituitary adenoma is a benign growth that occurs in the pituitary gland. Sometimes when the pituitary gland becomes covered with tumor-like growths it begins to secrete an excess of hormones. Though mostly benign, these tumors can still cause problems throughout the body.
Definition & Facts
The pituitary gland is located below the brain and above the nasal passages. This gland belongs to a system known as the endocrine system that includes the pancreatic gland, adrenal gland, thyroid gland and a set of other glands and organs. This is the central part of the endocrine system that activates other glands throughout the body.
The occurrence of a person having an active PA is unlikely. As of 2014, there was a mere ten-thousand cases of pituitary adenoma diagnosed per year; however, as much as one in four people may have these adenomas without any signs or symptoms. …show more content…
This is where a sample of the gland is extracted and examined under a microscope to determine tumor-growth.
Treatment and Therapy
Removal of an adenoma of this kind is possible, while post-operational medication is sometimes necessary. However, in some nonfunctional cases, where the gland is not secreting excess hormone, surgery may not be performed until the tumor becomes problematic. The surgery to remove a tumor of this particular kind in this basic vicinity is what is known as endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery (ETS).
In an ETS, the neurosurgeon is assisted by an ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeon. The surgeons will enter through the nasal cavity (in a minimally-invasive surgery), and then cut a slit into the sphenoid sinus area. Holes are then made into bony areas in order to allow access to the tumor. An endoscope or microscope is then used to monitor the removal of the tumor. Surgeries for smaller tumors commonly have higher success rates than those for larger
A pituitary adenoma is a benign growth that occurs in the pituitary gland. Sometimes when the pituitary gland becomes covered with tumor-like growths it begins to secrete an excess of hormones. Though mostly benign, these tumors can still cause problems throughout the body.
Definition & Facts
The pituitary gland is located below the brain and above the nasal passages. This gland belongs to a system known as the endocrine system that includes the pancreatic gland, adrenal gland, thyroid gland and a set of other glands and organs. This is the central part of the endocrine system that activates other glands throughout the body.
The occurrence of a person having an active PA is unlikely. As of 2014, there was a mere ten-thousand cases of pituitary adenoma diagnosed per year; however, as much as one in four people may have these adenomas without any signs or symptoms. …show more content…
This is where a sample of the gland is extracted and examined under a microscope to determine tumor-growth.
Treatment and Therapy
Removal of an adenoma of this kind is possible, while post-operational medication is sometimes necessary. However, in some nonfunctional cases, where the gland is not secreting excess hormone, surgery may not be performed until the tumor becomes problematic. The surgery to remove a tumor of this particular kind in this basic vicinity is what is known as endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery (ETS).
In an ETS, the neurosurgeon is assisted by an ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeon. The surgeons will enter through the nasal cavity (in a minimally-invasive surgery), and then cut a slit into the sphenoid sinus area. Holes are then made into bony areas in order to allow access to the tumor. An endoscope or microscope is then used to monitor the removal of the tumor. Surgeries for smaller tumors commonly have higher success rates than those for larger