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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the goal for Medical Treatment in Pituitary Tumors?

Any medical therapy for a pituitary tumor should reduce hormone overproduction by the tumor, and, ideally, decrease the size of the pituitary tumor so that any visual abnormality is corrected. Reduction in tumor size should improve or relieve headache associated with the tumor.
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What are pituitary tumors?

Frequently Asked Questions about Pituitary Cancer
A pituitary tumor is a tumor that begins in the pituitary gland. Most pituitary tumors are not cancer. In fact, cancerous pituitary tumors are so rare that state and national cancer agencies keep no record of how many people get them each year. Benign (non-cancerous) pituitary tumors are also rare. About 3,000 people get them each year.
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How are pituitary tumors treated?

Pituitary Network Association - FAQ
It depends on the type of tumor and how far it has invaded into the brain, as well as the patient's age and overall health. Three kinds of treatment are used: surgery (removing the tumor during an operation), radiation therapy (using high-dose x-rays/proton beams to kill tumor cells) and drug therapy to shrink and sometimes eradicate the tumor. Drugs can also block the pituitary gland from making too much hormone.
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What are the symptoms of pituitary tumors?

Frequently Asked Questions about Pituitary Cancer
Pituitary tumors that affect hormones may cause a variety of symptoms, which are related to high hormone levels and production. These symptoms will be different in children than in adults. Growth hormone-secreting adenomas in children may cause: Other more rare kinds of pituitary tumors cause other symptoms. It is important for anyone who is experiencing any unusual symptoms to see their doctor.
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How prevalent are pituitary tumors/disease?

Pituitary Network Association - FAQ
Autopsy reports and radiologic and MRI evidence from around the globe indicate that one out of every five people worldwide has a pituitary tumor. The earliest study took place in 1936, when Dr. R.T. Costello of the Mayo Foundation conducted a cadaver study and found pituitary tumors in 22.4 % of the population (Costello R.T. Subclinical adenoma of the pituitary gland. Am. J. Pathol. 1936; 12:205-214). Statistics have not changed much ever since.
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Are all pituitary tumors created equal?

Pituitary Network Association - FAQ
No. There are more than a dozen very different disorders that result from pituitary tumors and disease. For example, if a tumor forms in an ACTH secreting pituitary cell, it could result in the overproduction of cortisol (Cushing's Disease) or the underproduction of cortisol (adrenal insufficiency, often referred to as Secondary Addison's Disease).
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What are the risk factors for pituitary tumors?

Frequently Asked Questions about Pituitary Cancer
Certain factors can make one person more likely to get a pituitary tumor than another person. These are called risk factors. In some cancers, doctors have identified risk factors that can be avoided, such as smoking or sun exposure. With pituitary tumors, doctors are not sure what exactly causes pituitary tumors and only one risk factor has been identified. Most people who get a pituitary tumor have no known risk factors.
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Is there a medical treatment for these tumors?

Pituitary Society - Public Site - Information about the pitu...
Surgery to remove this type of tumor is the most common therapy used. In some patients, residual tumor tat cannot be removed by surgery is treated with octreotide and this therapy may improve the hyperthyroidism ( too much thyroid hormone ) that results when the TSH from the tumor stimulates the thyroid gland to make too much thyroid hormone. In some patients, medication to lower thyroid hormone levels may be used before, and in some cases after surgery.
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What are the symptoms of the various types of pituitary tumors?

Hi. I'm a nursing student and I recently had a male patient, 64 yrs. old, who is diagnosed with Diabetes Mellitus type 1, obesity, hypertension, a right below-the-knee amputation due to osteomyelitis, depression, chronic renal insufficiency, and a few other things, including poor wound healing. He has the typical Cushing's body type and the buffalo hump. He has no striae on his abdomen.
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Is there any medical treatment for a Non functioning pituitary tumor?

In general, no. There are no specific medical treatments for this type of tumor. The best treatment is surgery to remove the tumor. Bromocriptine has been used in a few patients who could not have surgery. In this situation, a small minority of patients have had some improvement in vision because of slight reduction in tumor size and relief of pressure on the optic chiasm (eye nerves responsible for vision).
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Do all pituitary tumors require surgery?

Pituitary Network Association - Disorders - Transsphenoidal ...
No. Tumors which secrete high amounts of the hormone prolactin usually respond to medical therapy so that surgery is not required. Small non-secretory tumors, less than one centimeter (termed a microadenoma), can sometimes be followed with serial MRIs to monitor for progressive enlargement before proceeding to surgery.
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MUST I HAVE AN "ABSTINENCE ONLY" TREATMENT GOAL?

Addiction Alternatives: Counselling & Treatment Services
Some individuals might be appropriate candidates for a goal that includes a moderate use of substances. For others, abstinence may well be the wisest course of action. Many factors must be taken into account before such a determination can be made. In every case, a comprehensive assessment is undertaken that evaluates substance use as well as many other aspects of an individual's functioning, life experience and feelings of readiness to engage in a program of change.
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What are other pituitary diseases that can be mistaken for pituitary tumors?

Pituitary Society - Public Site - Information about the pitu...
Pituitary Cyst : Any endocrine gland may develop a cyst. This occurs commonly in the ovaries and thyroid gland; a cyst in the pituitary gland is benign (not cancer). Many pituitary cysts cause no symptoms and don’t grow or enlarge. Only when they do, do they become symptomatic. They can cause headache and/or rarely interfere with normal pituitary function. If the cyst is large, loss of vision may occur.
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Do pituitary tumors spread to other parts of the body, like so many other tumors?

Endocrinology - FAQ
No, pituitary tumors are usually benign. They grow very slowly and do not spread to other parts of the body.
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Can pituitary tumors be prevented through diet and exercise?

Endocrinology - FAQ
No, these tumors are caused by an abnormality in the genetic material of the pituitary cell, which causes the cells to continue growing and dividing.
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What is the goal of treatment?

YourDiabeticCat.com - Helping and Preventing Feline Diabetes
My goal for all of my diabetic patients is to restore the cat to its previous health without need for insulin. Other veterinarians may not attempt to achieve this goal, but my years of experience have taught me that more than 80% of all cats, especially new diabetics, can become normal again. Therefore, I do not treat my patients with the goal of just helping them “limp” along as ongoing diabetic cats.
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What is the pituitary?

Pituitary Network Association - FAQ
The pituitary is a small, pea-sized gland located at the base of the brain that functions as "The Master Gland." From its lofty position above the rest of the body it sends signals to the thyroid gland, adrenal glands, ovaries and testes, directing them to produce thyroid hormone, cortisol, estrogen, testosterone, and many more. These hormones have dramatic effects on metabolism, blood pressure, sexuality, reproduction, and other vital body functions.
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Where can I go for medical treatment?

FAQ
Your employer will advise you where to go to receive authorized medical care. If you obtain medical treatment on your own with an unauthorized medical provider, workers' compensation may not be liable for payment.
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Who provides and directs medical treatment?

Frequently Asked Questions
The employer or its insurance company, subject to any Commission orders, provides and directs medical treatment. The Commission may permit the employee to change physicians or approve a physician of employee's selection when good grounds are shown. However, payment by the employer or carrier is not guaranteed unless written permission to change physicians is obtained from the employer, carrier, or Commission before the treatment is rendered.
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What is the medical treatment of pancreatic cancer?

Pancreatic Cancer: Pancreatica - FAQ
There are no universally agreed upon firm guidelines for medical treatment for those patients with adenocarcinoma of the pancreas who are not candidates for surgery or who have a recurrence of the cancer after surgical resection. In part, this is because there is no one great treatment option-there are a number of treatment approaches which may be more or less appropriate, given certain variables.
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What if a hospital or medical treatment is required?

Intensive Counseling- Frequently Asked Questions
Given the range of issues addressed through our intensive programs, we are prepared in the event a person needs hospitalization. There at times are additional costs for a specialist or for any emergency care. We are well known to the medical staff at our local hospital. Our staff Psychiatrist has admitting privileges as well. Medications and supplements would be an additional cost. Other possible charges would be for IVs and medical procedures by our medical team.
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What Is a Life-Sustaining Medical Treatment?

ACS :: Frequently Asked Questions
State definitions vary; however, in general, life-sustaining medical treatment is anything mechanical or artificial that sustains, restores, or substitutes for a vital body function and that would prolong the dying process for a terminally ill patient.
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Can I combine acupuncture with other medical treatment?

Frequently Asked Questions
Acupuncture can be used in conjunction with conventional western medicine, osteopathic or chiropractic adjustments, or naturopathic prescriptions. It is important to inform your acupuncturist of all other treatments.
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What kinds of medical treatment can I get?

Medical treatment required as a result of your injury or illness must be provided by a health care provider approved by your employer or your employer's insurance carrier. Chiropractic visits may be limited. Surgery; hospital care; dental; prescription drugs; braces and crutches; and any other medical supplies ordered must be approved by your authorized treating physician.
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What is the best treatment for a pituitary tumor?

Prolactin-producing tumors are most successfully treated with medical therapy (pills). In over 90% of patients, medical therapy reduces tumor size and blood prolactin levels. In approximately 8-10% of patients, medical treatment is not completely effective and surgery may be necessary.
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Pituitary Society - Public Site - Information about the pitu...
Pituitary tumors are diagnosed by signs and symptoms, blood tests and X-rays. Depending on the type, size, location, and symptoms, clinical decision must be made as to whether any therapy is necessary and, if so, whether medical, surgical, and radiation therapy alone or in combination are required. In some patients, immediate therapy may not be indicated, in which case it is important to monitor changes in signs and symptoms, blood tests, and X-rays over time.
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Institute for Attachment & Child Development
Help parents resolve their own issues of grief and loss. In short, the goal of treatment is to help both child and family understand the problems, develop strong attachments, and modify thoughts, feelings, perceptions, behaviors and relationships so that the child can have a more satisfying and productive life, the parents can be happier and more effective in their role, and society can be safer.
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