Basics: Treatment – Transsphenoidal adenomectomy

July 28, 2023July 24, 2023 MaryO Basic Info adenoma, endocrinologist, Pituitary, recurrence, transsphenoidal

The most common procedure to remove pituitary tumors is transsphenoidal adenomectomy. It allows the removal of the tumor with minimal damage to the surrounding structures. The surgical team accesses the pituitary gland through the sphenoid sinus — a hollow space behind the nasal passages and below the pituitary gland.

If performed in specialized centers and by an experienced pituitary surgeon, this type of surgery is reported to result in an overall cure rate, or full remission, of Cushing’s disease for 80% to 90% of patients. A higher success rate is seen with smaller tumors.

However, reported remission rates vary considerably, mainly due to differences in the criteria used to define disease remission.

In some cases, a second transsphenoidal adenomectomy is required to fully remove tumor tissue; in others, the initial surgical procedure is paired with a second form of treatment, such as radiation therapy or certain medications.

Given the complexity of the procedure, the guidelines recommend patients undergo surgery in specialized Pituitary Tumor Centers of Excellence. Patients also are advised to have the surgery performed by an experienced pituitary neurosurgeon.

Follow-up for all patients should be conducted by a multidisciplinary team, including a pituitary endocrinologist.

Lifelong monitoring for disease recurrence is required.

🎤 Archived Interview: Dr. Dori Middleman, Pituitary Cushing’s Survivor

April 25, 2019April 23, 2019 MaryO Interviews, Meetings and Conferences adenoma, antidepressant, Certified Gestalt, Cushing’s, emotions, energy, gamma knife, growth hormone, medication, Patient, pituitary surgery, post-traumatic, Psychophamacologist, radio surgeries, relationships, therapy, treatments, tumor

Dr. Dori Middleman is a Psychophamacologist, Certified Gestalt Psychotherapist and Cushing’s Patient.

She has had both pituitary surgery and two gamma knife radiosurgeries.

Listen at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cushingshelp/2008/06/12/dr-dori-middleman-pituitary-cushings-survivor

🎤 Archived Interview: Heather S, Pituitary Cushing’s Survivor

April 24, 2019April 22, 2019 MaryO Interviews, Meetings and Conferences adenoma, cortisol, Cushing’s, diagnosis, endocrinologist, medications, message boards, MRI, PCP, Pituitary, pituitary tumor, steroids, surgery, symptoms, testing, treatment

Heather, pituitary surgery on January 18, 2006 after years of medical problems, June 5, 7:30PM

Listen at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cushingshelp/2008/06/05/interview-with-heather-s-pituitary-cushings-survivor

🎤 Archived Interview: FerolV, pituitary survivor

April 22, 2019April 20, 2019 MaryO Interviews, Meetings and Conferences ACTH, adenoma, cortisol, diabetes, Discovery Health, endocrinologist, hair loss, hirsuitism, hypertension, Loestrin, nausea, night sweats, OBGYN, Pituitary, prolactin, scar tissue, skeletal soft tissue, steroids, surgery, wean, weight

Ferol started noticing irregular symptoms in her late 20’s, but more developed since 2001, and rapidly more chronic as time went by. Finally, at her March 2005 physical, she had enough symptoms listed for her GP to start getting the connection to Cushing’s.

She was immediately referred to Dr. Adam Spitz, endocrinologist, with a battery of tests confirmed the initial diagnosis. Her pituitary surgery was performed 09-30-05. She has lost 30+ pounds after reaching a high of 190 prior to surgery.

Listen at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cushingshelp/2008/05/08/interview-with-ferolv-pituitary-survivor

🎤 Archived Interview: Monica, pituitary survivor

April 18, 2019April 20, 2019 MaryO Interviews, Meetings and Conferences 24-hour urinary free cortisol, 24hour ufc, Addisons, adenoma, adrenal crisis, anemia, antibiotics, B12, cholesterol, cortisol, Cushing’s, diagnosis, Family and Medical L, fatigue, fish oil, FMLA, gamma globulin, Gatlin Brothers, genetic, growth hormone, immune system, Interview

Listen as Monica (Monicaroni) talks about the challenges she’s faced maintaining her music career while in testing and treatment. Monica was diagnosed with Cyclical Cushing’s. She had pituitary surgery in November 2006. An 8mm encapsulated pituitary tumor was removed. Since there was no post-op crash, she also had a BLA in December 2006.

Listen at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cushingshelp/2008/05/02/interview-with-monica-pituitary-survivor