Does brain tumour surgery treat pituitary tumour?

The operation used for a pituitary tumour is usually planned specifically for the pituitary gland. Many tumours can be reached through the nose and sphenoid sinus rather than through an opening in the skull. The right approach depends on the tumour's position, growth pattern, hormone activity and relationship to nearby nerves and blood vessels.

A pituitary tumour may make excess hormones, press on the optic pathways or affect normal pituitary function. Surgery may aim to remove the whole visible tumour, take away enough tissue to relieve pressure, or obtain tissue when the diagnosis is uncertain. Complete removal may not be suitable when tumour tissue closely surrounds important structures.

Some pituitary tumours are managed first with medicine, monitoring or radiotherapy instead. After an operation, blood tests, eye assessments and imaging help the clinical team judge the result and decide whether further care is needed.

Bring your scan reports, hormone results, medicine list and any recent vision assessment to the specialist visit. A pituitary team may include a neurosurgeon, endocrinologist, radiologist and eye specialist. They can explain the proposed route, the intended extent of removal, possible effects on hormone production and the follow-up plan.

Do not stop prescribed hormone medicines before surgery unless the treating team gives clear instructions. Ask who to contact if you develop increased thirst, unusually frequent urination, worsening headache or fluid leaking from the nose after the procedure.

Seek urgent medical assessment for a sudden severe headache with new loss of vision, double vision, fainting, confusion, repeated vomiting or marked weakness. These features can signal acute bleeding or swelling around the pituitary and should not wait for a routine appointment.

After surgery, follow the hospital's emergency instructions for clear watery nasal drainage, heavy bleeding, fever with neck stiffness, worsening drowsiness, seizure, or rapidly changing eyesight.

Ask whether the goal is complete removal, pressure relief or tissue diagnosis; why surgery is preferred over medicine or monitoring; which surgical route is planned; and how your vision and pituitary hormones will be checked afterwards.