Treatment for Pituitary Adenomas
Tumors in the pituitary region present special problems for conventional radiosurgery that may be better treated by Gamma Knife radiosurgery. Proximity of tumor to the optic nerves or chiasm presents the potential risk of blindness due to radiation injury to the optic operatus. Special “blocking” techniques in Gamma Knife radiosurgery add extra protection to the optic nerves beyond simple conformal planning.
Gamma Knife radiosurgery may be used as an adjunct to subtotal surgery or recurrent tumor. Radiosurgery generally leads to a more rapid reduction in abnormal pituitary tumor hormone levels than conventional radiation.
Protocols examining staged or fractionated Gamma Knife radiosurgery may extend the benefit of this treatment to a greater fraction of pituitary tumors.
Physician referral, patient self-referrals, second opinions and case reviews are welcome and can be arranged by calling our physicians at the numbers listed on the faculty page or through the Cleveland Clinic Gamma Knife Center at 888.664.5223. More information including bibliographies and reprints of scientific articles on specific Gamma Knife procedures are also available at these same numbers.
To schedule an evaluation with a Cleveland Clinic Brain Tumor and Neuro-Oncology Center specialist to determine if a Gamma Knife radiosurgery procedure is an option for you, please call our Patient Access Coordinator at 216.445.8971, or toll-free at 800.223.2273, ext. 58971.
