Overview Of Options For Pituitary Tumor Treatment

Pituitary tumors grow in the pituitary gland. They affect the gland's ability to regulate hormones! Thus, the gland will either produce too much or not enough. Thankfully, most tumors in the pituitary gland are not cancerous. They are referred to as adenomas in this case! These tumors stay in or around the pituitary gland. This means that they do not spread to other areas!

In many cases, patients take medications for pituitary tumors! Some patients need surgery for pituitary tumors as well. They are also able to support these treatments with natural remedies for pituitary tumors. However, the best treatment for pituitary tumors changes with each patient. Every tumor is unique! Thus, patients must understand all of their options for pituitary tumor treatments before they decide on one with their doctor.

Craniotomy

A craniotomy is a common surgery! One of its uses is to remove pituitary tumors. Of course, it also treats other brain tumors and aneurysms, among others. Before the surgery, patients are put under general anesthesia. Then, the neurosurgeon performs the craniotomy! They first shave the patient's head. Then, the surgeon will drill a hole and remove a piece of the patient's skull. This exposes their pituitary gland! Once they see the tumor, they will remove as much as possible. They will do so without causing brain damage. Surgeons will replace or repair the piece of the patient's skull with plates, wires, or screws.

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Stereotactic Radiosurgery

Stereotactic radiosurgery is a form of radiation. Doctors use it when medications do not treat the tumor well enough. They also use this treatment when the patient's pituitary tumor is likely going to grow. It also works on tumors that cannot be entirely removed with surgery or those that recur. Thankfully, this treatment has no invasive surgeries involved. Patients also require fewer doses of radiation in this treatment than in traditional radiation therapy!

Patients with pituitary tumors receive one to five doses of radiation in this treatment. The radiation used is quite focused! Doctors will use one of two methods in this treatment. They will give patients the radiation with a linear accelerator or a gamma knife!

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Dopamine Agonists

Pituitary tumors often affect a patient's dopamine levels. This is one of the major neurotransmitters in their brain! Changes often mean that patients will have problems with their mood, behavior, and memory. Their physical movement is also impacted because of dopamine changes! When pituitary tumors cause this, doctors will prescribe dopamine agonists. This type of medication acts as dopamine. It replenishes a patient's levels as much as possible! Older versions have cardiovascular side effects. Thankfully, there are newer ones available! They do not carry the same risk of side effects. They target more specific dopamine receptors as well!

Side effects of this medication include dizziness and sleepiness. Thus, individuals must avoid driving when they start this medication. They must see how it affects them first! Patients need to stop taking them with help from their doctor. After all, they carry a risk of withdrawal symptoms! Such symptoms include pain issues and organ failure. Following dosage instructions is vital as well. Doses of this medication that are too high cause compulsive behavior and other mental health issues!

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Somatostatin Analogs

Somatostatin is a vital substance! The body makes it naturally in the bowels, stomach, pancreas, and hypothalamus. This substance helps slow down the body's production of insulin and gut hormones. In some cases, it even stops this production! This substance is essential for stomach and bowel emptying. Somatostatin analogs are medications that create artificial versions of this substance!

Many pituitary patients will take this type of medication! It helps when the tumor causes the patient's body to make too many hormones. In many cases, these tumors trigger carcinoid syndrome. This is where this medication is helpful! It slows down how fast the patient's body produces growth hormone and serotonin. The result is more control over symptoms such as skin flushing and diarrhea. Many patients even find that this medication shrinks their pituitary tumor! Most patients receive one injection of this medication every four weeks. Nurses typically administer it. However, they will teach patients to do it themselves when necessary!

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External Beam Radiation

External beam radiation is amazing for cancerous pituitary tumors! The doses of radiation shrink the tumor. They also destroy cancerous cells! This form of radiation uses a special X-ray machine called a linear accelerator. It delivers radiation at the right angles! This machine also customizes the beams it emits to each patient's tumor shape. It does this without touching the patient too, as the name external beam radiation suggests. Instead, the machine will move around the patient's body. Some patients will receive focused external beam radiation. This form targets the treatment better! Thus, it reduces organ damage and damage to healthy tissue around the tumor. Since pituitary tumors are close to the brain, focused radiation is ideal.