What happens after Treatment for Pituitary
Tumors?
In
most cases of pituitary tumors the treatment is aimed at removing or destroying
the tumor completely. Although the treatment process tends to be advantageous
indeed, it can also be taxing to worry about the possible risk of
complications, such as the tumor recurring or growing in another part. This is
one of the most common worries in people after undergoing treatment for
pituitary tumors.
In
rare cases, the tumor might not be accessible enough to be removed completely
and the surgeon will remove (destroy) as much of the tumor in the pituitary
glands as possible. In such cases, the patient might be on a medicine schedule
and other treatments to help control the growth of the tumor further on.
Post-Treatment Care
Post-treatment
(follow-up) care is very important to ensure the success of the treatment for a
pituitary tumor. Even after the treatment is completed, the doctor will still
wish to observe your condition closely right after the procedure.
It
is advisable to attend all your appointments with the doctor after the
treatment for pituitary tumors and also to follow every instruction carefully.
Remember to report any new (or recurring) symptoms to the doctor immediately.
Surgical
treatment is the most common and effective treatment for almost all forms of
pituitary tumors. In case a patient suffers from a hormone-making (functional)
pituitary tumor, the doctor can easily perform a hormone-measurement test to
determine whether the hormones are at normal levels at various intervals after
the surgical treatment.
Blood
tests can help determine the level of functioning of the remaining pituitary
gland. Even after the doctor has determined the remaining normal pituitary
gland is working you will still be required to come to further appointments.
Hormone levels need to be checked periodically to ensure that the remaining
pituitary gland is functioning normally and the risk of the pituitary tumor
recurring is lowered. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans are also performed
regularly. In case the tumor removed was large in size then the patient might
also be examined by an ophthalmologist and a neurologist to check for normal
functioning of the eyes and the nerves respectively.
In
case of radiotherapy for treating pituitary tumors, the patient might to go for
regular checkups till a few years after the pituitary tumor surgery. As it is
hard to predict the radiation therapy’s effectiveness in destroying individual
tumors, the doctor will take every precaution, including regular check-ups for
a few years to ensure that the tumor was successfully destroyed. The doctor
will also check the function of the pituitary glands at regular times. MRI
scans and hormone-measuring tests are commonly performed as part of the
follow-up care after a radiotherapy treatment for pituitary tumors.
The
most common phenomenon after a surgical or radiation therapy for pituitary
tumors is the hormonal deficiency experienced. This can be addressed with
hormone replacement procedure. Adrenal steroids and thyroid hormones can be
administered in the form of pills.
For
men, testosterone is often given to boost the libido (sex drive) as well as to
help avoid weakening of bones (osteoporosis). This can be administered either
as a gel, liquid or in the form of a patch to be applied on the skin. This can
also be taken as an injection on a monthly basis or even implanted as a pellet
under the skin after every couple of months.
For
women of younger age, estrogen hormone supplements can be administered using
either as a skin patch or in the form of pills to avoid premature onset of
menopause. In most cases, the doctor will also administer progesterone, along
with estrogen, as the hormonal deficiency from the pituitary gland can lead to
infertility. In such cases, hormone therapy is used to increase the chances of
fertility.
In
case the tumor was smaller in size then the doctor might perform the MRI scan
once or twice to ensure that the tumor has indeed shrunk in size.
In
case the pituitary tumor was an ACTH-producing (growth hormone) tumor then the
doctor may advise for a more frequent follow-up. The doctor will observe the
symptoms as well as the level of hormones in the body regularly. Periodic
check-ups for high blood pressure and heart conditions is advised for people
with growth-hormone producing tumors in the pituitary gland.
In
very rare cases after the surgery for removing pituitary tumors, the patient
may suffer from diabetes insipidus for a short period of time. This can also be
treated successfully. In case of mild form of diabetes insipidus fluid intake
can help with the problem however for more severe form ‘desmopressin’ is
prescribed by the doctors (nasal spray/tablet). It is highly advised to drink
as much fluid as possible in such situations.
You
should also ask the doctor whether the pituitary tumor might be due to a
genetic pre-disposition (hereditary). Several tests are in the works which will
soon help determine whether an individual is likely to be affected by a genetic
defect which develops pituitary tumors.
