Pituitary Tumor Surgery - Efficient Treatment and Surgery in India

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Pituitary Tumor Surgery - The pituitary is a small gland attached to the base of the brain (behind the nose) in the saddle-shaped depression of sphenoid bone called the pituitary fossa or sella turcica. The pituitary gland is also called the "Master Gland" of endocrine system. It controls activities and hormone secretions of most of the other organs like thyroid, adrenals, pancreas, and sex glands.

Pituitary tumor or adenomas are the abnormal growth of cells that can affect performance the master gland, i.e. pituitary gland, which can affect the normal functioning of body.  However, most of these pituitary tumors treated successfully.

Early intervention increases chances for cure and control of a pituitary tumor and prevention of its side effects. The three common types of treatment options for pituitary tumors include:

• Surgical removal of the tumor-better option for smaller tumors
• Radiation therapy -using high dose x-rays to kill tumor cells
• Medication therapy- to shrink or eradicate tumors

Surgery is a better option for removal of smaller pituitary tumors. The surgery of pituitary tumors through Trans-sphenoidal approach involves accessing the tumor through nasal cavity. Endoscopic Trans-sphenoidal surgery, often combined with computer guided minimally invasive procedure is considered best choice for small functional pituitary adenomas.

Being minimally invasive, Trans-sphenoidal surgery is well tolerated, takes lesser time, and ensures early healing. Treatment options of pituitary tumors also include Radiation Therapy performed in many ways such as:

• External-beam radiation therapy
• Stereotactic Radio-Surgery
• Proton Beam Radiotherapy 
• Fractionated Stereotactic Radiotherapy
• Gamma knife Radio-Surgery

Chemotherapy is used to in cases where tumor spreads beyond pituitary gland to reduce over-production of hormones from pituitary tumors or block the effects of these hormones.

What is a Pituitary Tumor?

A pituitary tumor is an irregular growth of cells in the pituitary gland. Pituitary tumors or adenomas can vary in size and behavior. 

Some of the Pituitary tumors that make too many hormones will cause other glands to make more hormones whereas some pituitary tumors will cause the pituitary gland to produce lower levels of hormones.

Pituitary tumors can also press against the nearby optic nerves and cause vision problems. Almost 99% of Pituitary tumors are benign adenomas (growth) and are non-cancerous. Though Pituitary adenomas remain in the pituitary gland or surrounding tissues and usually do not spread to other parts of your body yet may cause significant health problems.

Being close to the brain, may invade nearby tissues of skull or sinuses and cause them to make excess hormones. Pituitary tumors that raise hormones are called functioning adenomas whereas the ones that do not are called nonfunctioning adenomas.

What are the symptoms of Pituitary Tumor?

Though symptoms may differ from individual to individual, yet common symptoms of the pituitary tumor can be:

• Headache
• Vision problems
• Unexplained tiredness
• Mood changes
• Irritability
• Changes in menstrual cycles in women
• Erectile dysfunction, in men
• Infertility
• Improper breast growth or production of breast milk
• Cushing’s syndrome - a combination of weight gain, hypertension, diabetes and easy bruising caused by overproduction of ACTH
• Acromegaly

What is the Pituitary tumor surgery cost in India?

Cost of Pituitary Tumor Surgery and Treatment in India depends upon;

• Category of doctor and hospital
• Type of surgery and medication
• Severity of symptoms
• Diagnostic, medical and other facilities availed

Despite world-class treatment and surgical facilities in most modern hospitals in India, the cost of Pituitary Tumor Surgery and Treatment in India is far less than developed nations.

What is the recovery time after pituitary tumor surgery?

Most patients can return to work and routine in 1 to 2 weeks. However if Craniotomy, surgery through skull is done, the stitches may take 7-10 days to disappear. 

List of pituitary tumor surgery hospitals in India?

Some of the most efficient and renowned pituitary tumor surgery hospitals in India are:

• Apollo Hospital
• Fortis Hospital
• Artemis Hospital
• Max Hospital
• Columbia Asia Hospital
• Medanta Hospital
• Wockhardt Hospital
• Hiranandani Hospital
• Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital
• Narayana Hrudayalaya