Management of Hormone-Secreting Pituitary Adenomas

Abstract

Hormone-secreting pituitary adenomas arise as discrete nodules in the adenohypophysis, and are called "microadenomas" when they are less than 10 mm in diameter. At autopsy routine examination of pituitary glands has shown that the prevalence of microadenomas ranges from 2.7 to 22.5 per cent.^{1 2 3 4} A distinct demarcation that is usually present between the normal gland and the microadenoma permits selective removal of the mass and preservation of residual pituitary function. Larger tumors compress the adjacent normal gland, extend beyond the sella turcica, and invade the optic chiasm and adjacent structures. Invasive tumors may erode bone, cavernous sinus, sphenoid sinus, or . . .