Jamie J. Van Gompel, M.D., B.S., Professor in Neurosurgery and Otolaryngology specializing in endoscopic/open skull base focusing on Pituitary tumors as well as Epilepsy at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, USAand
Garret W. Choby, M.D., a fellowship-trained rhinologist and endoscopic skull base surgeon practicing at the Mayo Clinic.
Objectives:
– Understand the additional considerations that are key to performing endonasal surgery during the COVID pandemic
– Identify the practice changes that are allowing pituitary surgery to proceed safely
– Characterize the nasal cavity and nasopharynx as a reservoir for the coronavirus
– Identify the risk of undergoing pituitary surgery during the Covid -19 pandemic
This interview originally aired July 6, 2019. Dr. William Young Jr., a Mayo Clinic endocrinologist, discussed pituitary gland tumors.
The pituitary gland is a hormone-producing gland at the base of the brain. Sometimes known as the “master gland,” the pituitary gland produces and regulates hormones that help the body function. Pituitary tumors are abnormal growths that develop in your pituitary gland.
Some pituitary tumors result in too many of the hormones that regulate important functions of your body. Some pituitary tumors can cause your pituitary gland to produce lower levels of hormones. Most pituitary tumors are noncancerous (benign) growths that remain in your pituitary gland or surrounding tissues, and don’t spread to other parts of your body. There are various options for treating pituitary tumors, including removing the tumor, controlling its growth and managing your hormone levels with medications. Your health care provider also may recommend a wait-and-see approach.
Irina Bancos, M.D., an endocrinologist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and Jamie J. Van Gompel, M.D., a neurosurgeon at Mayo Clinic’s campus in Minnesota, discuss Mayo’s multidisciplinary approach to adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-secreting pituitary tumors. Pituitary tumors are common and often don’t cause problems. But some pituitary tumors produce the hormone ACTH, which stimulates the production of another hormone (cortisol). Overproduction of cortisol can result in Cushing syndrome, with signs and symptoms such as weight gain, skin changes and fatigue. Cushing syndrome is rare but can cause significant long-term health problems.
Treatment for Cushing syndrome caused by a pituitary tumor generally involves surgery to remove the tumor. Radiation therapy and occasionally adrenal surgery may be needed to treat Cushing syndrome caused by ACTH-secreting pituitary tumors. Mayo Clinic has experience with this rare condition.
Muhammed Ahmed
Tanana Valley Clinic
Fairbanks
AK, 99701
Country: United States
Specialty: Endocrinology Hospital Affiliations: Tanana Valley, Mayo Clinic Comments: Dr. Ahmed is professional, thorough with his research, thoughtful, and thinks I’m his star Cushing’s patient (I’m his only Cushing’s patient).