When is brain tumour surgery recommended for pituitary tumour?

The pituitary sits beneath the brain near the nerves that carry vision. A tumour can affect sight by pressing upward, or alter the body’s hormone balance by making or disrupting hormones. Blood tests, hormone assessment, visual-field testing and MRI help the team decide whether treatment is needed. Many operations use an endoscopic route through the nose, although the approach depends on tumour size, position and nearby structures. Hormone replacement may be needed before or after treatment.

Ask for coordinated assessment by endocrinology, ophthalmology and a neurosurgical team when appropriate. Bring hormone results, visual test reports, scan images and a list of medicines. Clarify whether medicines could control the tumour or its hormone effects, and ask what surgery aims to achieve. Discuss nasal care, recovery, changes in vision, hormone monitoring and the symptoms that should trigger contact after the procedure.

Seek emergency help for sudden or rapidly worsening vision, a sudden severe headache, confusion, collapse, repeated vomiting, or unusual thirst and urination with marked weakness. These symptoms can signal pressure or an acute hormone problem and need prompt assessment.

Is my vision affected or at risk? Which hormones are abnormal? Could medicine control the tumour? What hormone support and visual follow-up will I need after surgery?