Management of Pituitary Tumours

Pituitary tumours account for 8-10% of all intracranial tumours, and manifest themselves clinically either by effects due to the physical size of the tumour (headaches, impaired vision, facial pain) or by conditions resulting from endocrine disturbance, such as acromegaly, Cushing's disease, shortness of stature and hypogonadism. These tumours therefore impinge upon a number of specialties, notably neurosurgery, endocrinology, ophthalmology and neurology. Treatment is both medical and surgical and long-term medical treatment is often required after neurosurgery; in addition, treatment is usually a combined effort between neurosurgeons and endocrinologists. This is a compact guide to the pathophysiology, diagnosis and medical and surgical management of pituitary tumours, aimed principally at neurosurgeons and endocrinologists.