Since the pituitary gland is situated at the base of the brain and is attached to the brain by a thin stalk, there is sometimes uncertainty concerning the classification of a pituitary tumour. A pituitary tumour is not the same thing as a brain tumour because it is not located in the brain, and its tissue is distinct from that of the brain. The pituitary gland is a tiny gland located at the base of the brain in the pituitary fossa or sella turcica. Because it regulates the secretion of most hormones in the body, the pituitary is referred to as the “master gland.” A typical pituitary gland is around the size and form of a kidney bean, weighing less than one gram.
After gliomas, meningiomas, and schwannomas, the pituitary tumour are the fourth most frequent intracranial tumour. The vast majority of pituitary adenomas are noncancerous and grow slowly. The most prevalent condition impacting the pituitary gland is adenomas. The vast majority of these tumours can be cured.
Symptoms of Pituitary Tumour
The majority of pituitary tumours are asymptomatic. As a result, they go undetected. Alternatively, they may only be discovered during a standard brain imaging test. Small pituitary tumours are found in about 25% of persons who aren’t aware of it. Most common symptoms include:
- Headaches
- Vision problems
- Nausea or vomiting
- Infertility
- Fatigue
- Unexplained weight gain or loss
- Changes in the sense of smell
- Nasal drainage
- Sexual dysfunction
- Achy joints or muscle weakness
- Early menopause
- Changes in your monthly periods (women)
- Changes in behaviour
- Depression and anxiety
Diagnosis of Pituitary Tumour
A physician will do a medical examination along with vision testing to discover visual field abnormalities, including loss of peripheral vision, if a pituitary tumour is suspected. To confirm the diagnosis, blood and urine hormone testing, as well as brain imaging examinations, are used. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which can be done with or without a contrast agent, is by far the most efficient diagnostic imaging test.
Can surgery remove pituitary tumour?
Pituitary tumours are most commonly treated with surgery. The success of surgery is determined by the type of tumour, its precise position, size, and whether or not it has spread to neighbouring structures.
The clinician may employ image-guidance using MRI or CT scans before surgery for both transsphenoidal surgery and craniotomies to understand as much as possible about the tumour. To determine the best surgical technique and forecast how likely it is that they will be able to remove the entire tumour, it’s crucial to know how big the tumour is and whether it has progressed beyond the pituitary gland. Both methods of surgery are sometimes performed together to try to entirely remove big tumours that have migrated into adjacent tissues.
Removal of the tumour by a skilled neurosurgeon who does pituitary surgery frequently is the best treatment for various types of pituitary tumours. Even though most neurosurgeons have had some experience in pituitary surgery, only a select number have made pituitary surgery their career and have the “highest” success rates.
India has become one of the most popular destinations for pituitary tumour removal surgery due to the availability of the world’s greatest neurosurgeons, innovative equipment, and technically prepared facilities. When it comes to numerous medical disorders, including neurosurgery, India gives great healthcare services. Doctors’ utilisation of cutting-edge technology ensures that overseas patients have a wonderful treatment option. Some of the Best Neurosurgeons in India.?
Pituitary Tumors Treatment
Pituitary tumours are treated with palliative care to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. The following treatments may be used:
- Surgery to remove the cancer.
- Chemotherapy.
- Pharmaceutical therapy to reduce or remove the tumour.
Most patients with benign adenomas can resume regular lives once treatment removes the tumour. Adenomas can return, necessitating further therapy. Approximately 18% of patients with non-functioning adenomas and 25% of patients with prolactinomas, the most prevalent type of hormone-releasing adenomas, will require further therapy at some point. In rare situations, adenoma treatment causes low hormone levels, necessitating the use of hormone replacement medications.
Success rate of surgery for pituitary tumours?
In India, the success rate of pituitary tumour surgery is over 95%. The success percentage of pituitary tumour removal surgery in India, on the other hand, is mostly determined by the tumor’s size and location. When compared to other surgical procedures, the success rates of pituitary tumour removal surgery with craniotomy are slightly lower. A research of 3004 patients was conducted to report the efficacy, safety, and results over time of the largest series of pituitary surgery using transcranial, transsphenoidal, and endoscopic procedures to our knowledge. Prolactinoma cure rates were 82 percent for microadenomas and 9% for macroadenomas.
Since every nerve in the brain is focused on a specific function, neurosurgery is regarded one of the most difficult operations. Any damage to these nerves can result in life-threatening complications for the patient. So selecting the best neurosurgery hospitals has becomes a key issue. Below is a list of some of the Best Neurosurgery Hospitals in India:
Cost-effectiveness of pituitary tumour surgery
In India, international patients can have the best pituitary tumour removal surgery at a low cost. Many foreign nationals are drawn to India because of its excellent technologies and low prices. Check-out more information on pituitary tumour surgery:
