Pituitary tumor surgery removes non-cancerous growths from the brain stem.
A pituitary tumor is an abnormal growth that occurs on the pituitary gland, a small structure located at the brain's base that is responsible for producing growth hormones. The majority of pituitary tumors are non-cancerous and treated with surgery, reports the Massachusetts General Hospital Neuroendocrine Clinical Center.
Function
Pituitary tumor surgery is most often performed using transsphenoidal surgical techniques, according to the American Cancer Society. The surgeon makes an incision through the sinus or back of the lip to reach the pituitary gland, then cuts the tumor into small pieces before removing it.
Time Frame
The entire surgical procedure takes approximately three hours to complete, says the Massachusetts General Clinical Center, and requires a one- to two-day hospital recovery period afterward.
Complications
Pituitary tumor surgery has potential complications, such as brain tissue damage or infection, which can cause paralysis or death; however, these complications are extremely rare, reports the American Cancer Society.
Recovery
A person must wait approximately two weeks before returning to work after the surgery, according to the Massachusetts General Hospital Neuroendocrine Clinical Center. During the at-home recovery time, a person may experience nasal congestion or a sinus headache.
Effects
If a pituitary tumor is not treated with surgery, a person is at risk of weight gain, fatigue, lowered sexual activity, infertility or even vision loss if the tumor pushes against the brain's optic nerve, reports the Massachusetts General Hospital Neuroendocrine Clinical Center.
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