Pituitary adenomas

Abstract

Pituitary adenomas produce a complex collection of disorders. Some are incidental findings. Some distort local anatomical structures which can lead to disorders of vision or hormone production. Some produce excesses of hormones which can be either life threatening or clinically distressing. The management requires the expertise of a variety of experts who plan together. No single treatment is universally successful in controlling these conditions. Medical, biochemical, surgical and radiosurgical management can all have parts to play. Coordinate co-operation between specialists will provide patients with the best available treatment.

Keywords: Acromegaly; Cushing's disease; Incidentaloma; Nelson's syndrome; Non-functioning adenoma; Prolactinoma; Thyrotropin-secreting tumors.