Other treatments
for pituitary adenomas
A pituitary adenoma is a non-cancerous growth or tumour on the pituitary gland. It is usually slow growing.
As well as Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery, pituitary adenomas can be treated with:
- Medicine
- Traditional microsurgery
- Radiation
- A combination of the above.
Medicine
Medical therapy is often the first course of treatment. Medicines are used to shrink the tumour and relieve symptoms. Drugs called bromocriptine or cabergoline are used. The size of the tumour can be reduced in most patients to varying degrees, and symptoms can improve.
Dopamine agonist therapy is also used. Dopamine agonists are a broad category of medications that mimic the actions of dopamine in the body to relieve symptoms.
When the tumour does not respond to medicine, surgical removal of the tumour is considered.
Traditional Surgery
The tumour is removed with endoscopic surgery. The pituitary is accessed with tiny tools and a camera inserted in a small opening made through the nose and sinuses. This is known as the transsphenoidal technique. The transcranial approach, or craniotomy, is usually reserved for large and invasive tumours which cannot be safely removed using the transsphenoidal technique.
Radiation
Radiation therapy is an option when the tumour cannot be treated effectively through medication or surgery. High-energy X-rays kill the cells and shrink the tumour. Higher doses of radiation can help achieve tumour control but there is a risk of injury to surrounding normal brain tissue.
