Treatment

Treatment

There are many treatment options for pituitary tumors. The treatment you receive depends on:

• If the tumor is cancer
• The size of the tumor
• If the tumor makes hormones, and what types of hormones it makes
• Your symptoms
• Where the tumor is located, including if it has spread
• Your age
• Your health

Talk to your healthcare provider about your treatment options. They can share details about your choices and let you know how well treatments can work. They can also discuss risks and side effects with you.

Treatment Options

Pituitary tumor treatment includes:

• Endoscopic endonasal surgery. This surgery removes the tumor. It tends to be a better option for smaller tumors. After surgery, you will take medication to make up for the hormones your pituitary gland used to make.
• Radiation. This treatment sends beams of high-energy X-rays or particles to the tumor cells. It may be an option if your tumor cannot be removed with surgery.
• Medication. Some tumors respond to medication alone. Medication works to keep the tumors from making extra hormones that affect other parts of your body.