How is pituitary tumor generally treated

Treatment for pituitary tumors usually includes medication, surgical removal, and radiation therapy. The specific method you choose depends on the size and type of the tumor and the patient's overall health. Medication can help control hormone production in some types of pituitary tumors, surgery is often used for larger tumors or tumors that are not sensitive to medication, and radiation therapy is often used when surgery and medication are not enough.

1). Drug treatment: For pituitary tumors that secrete excessive hormones, drugs are the main initial treatment. For example, dopamine agonists (such as bromocriptine) are often used to treat hyperprolactinemia. Somatostatin analogs (such as octreotide) and hormone antagonists (such as flecainide) may also be used for other types of pituitary adenomas. The role of drugs is to inhibit the secretion of excessive hormones by the tumor and control the symptoms caused by it.

2) Surgical treatment: Minimally invasive surgery, such as transsphenoidal surgery, is a common method for treating pituitary tumors. Tumors can be removed through the nasal cavity, and transoral and head-top surgeries are suitable for very large or complexly located tumors. The goal of surgery is to reduce the pressure of the tumor on surrounding tissues and remove tumor tissue that causes abnormal hormone secretion.

3) Radiotherapy: When drugs and surgery fail to effectively control the tumor, or the tumor remains after surgery, radiotherapy such as Gamma Knife and Stereotactic Radiotherapy become options. This method precisely irradiates the tumor area to reduce damage to surrounding healthy tissues and gradually shrink the tumor.

The treatment plan for pituitary tumors needs to be selected according to the specific situation to ensure the best therapeutic effect. The goal of treatment is to control tumor growth, restore hormone levels to normal, and relieve compression symptoms. Early diagnosis and multidisciplinary teamwork are particularly important for achieving a good prognosis. Patients should be followed up regularly to monitor changes in their condition and adjust treatment plans if necessary.