Diagnosis, Treatment and Aftermath

Our pituitary gland is an organ that is the center of our body's hormonal management, located at the base of our skull, a few cm behind the root of our nose. It contains cells that secrete and do not secrete hormones. Tumors formed as a result of the unwanted proliferation of these cells are called "adenomas". It attracts attention with its feature of being both inside and outside the pituitary gland.

In Whom Is It Seen?

Although it is mostly seen in men and women between the ages of 25-45, it can also occur at earlier or later ages.

How is it formed?

Adenomas form as a result of uncontrolled proliferation of cells that secrete or do not secrete hormones.

What are the symptoms?

Adenomas cause symptoms due to the effect of the hormone they secrete or the pressure of the mass they form. For example, prolactin-secreting adenomas may cause inappropriate milk secretion in the breast tissue. Growth hormone-secreting adenomas can cause giant human development. Adenomas that do not secrete hormones can put pressure on the pituitary gland, causing hormone deficiencies and various problems.

Dr. Treatment by Yunus Aydın:

Dr. Yunus Aydın performs surgery on most pituitary adenomas using a nasal (endo-nasal transsphenoidal) microscope. Based on his experience, he intervenes in aggressively enlarged cases and in cases where ejaculation through the nose is not possible, by opening the head. Endoscopy is also used during the treatment process.

Other Treatment Methods:

Tedavi edilemeyen veya tamamen çıkartılamayan adenomlar için gama ışını kullanılabilir. Prolaktin salgılayan adenomlar ilaç tedavisi ile kontrol altına alınabilir. Aynı şekilde büyüme hormonu salgılayan adenomlar için ilaç veya gama ışını kullanılabilir. Cushing adenomunda cerrahi tam çıkarmadan sonra hipofiz bezinin tamamı çıkartılabilir veya gama ışını kullanılabilir. Hormon salgılamayan adenomlarda gama ışını tedavisi uygulanabilir.

What Happens If It Is Not Treated?

Hormone-secreting adenomas can cause various diseases due to excessive hormone secretion. Growth hormone-secreting adenomas can pave the way for heart diseases, diabetes and other problems. Symptoms such as hormone deficiencies, sexual dysfunction, and vision problems may occur.

Treatment (Post-Surgery) Development:

Post-nasal surgery is generally a comfortable process. Tampons are usually removed within a day and patients are discharged from the hospital within a few days. Hormone levels are checked within a week after the surgery and the missing hormones are replaced. Pituitary MRI is performed five months later and the removed part of the adenoma is evaluated. Follow-up checks are performed annually, and in case of recurrence, surgery may be considered again. A quick response is important for emergencies such as visual impairment.