Pituitary Tumor Treatments & Procedures

Our Approach to Treatment

Houston Methodist neurosurgeons have decades of experience in perfecting minimally invasive surgery through the nostril (transsphenoidal pituitary surgery) and have performed thousands of these procedures. They are experts in the use of specialized tools and cameras, which have transformed the way we perform pituitary tumor surgery — hardly disrupting any tissue, requiring no incisions — to remove tumors that otherwise would destroy vision and endocrine function.

After surgery, our patients feel as if they had a sinus operation, with a bit of a stuffy nose or a mild sinus headache. The surgery our doctors perform speeds recovery, as well reduces hospital stays and complications.

Houston Methodist’s neurosurgeons constantly develop new technologies and are among the leaders in minimally invasive pituitary tumor surgery and treatment. Additionally, our imaging technology is so advanced our neurosurgeons can see individual brain fibers and fiber tracks, allowing them to plot safe paths through the brain to reach tumors without causing damage. 

Additionally, our virtual reality technology connects real-time imaging to computers, which reconstruct the brain in three dimensions and displays all the fiber tracks. The technology greatly improves our precision to one millimeter, or one-twenty-fifth of an inch, revolutionizing the field. It also allows our doctors to perform surgery without lifting or moving brain structures. 

Treatments and Procedures

• Surgery

– Transsphenoidal pituitary surgery – minimally invasive approach through the nasal passages, requiring no incision to remove the tumors. Reduces complications and improves outcomes
– Incision underneath the lip – numbs teeth, extends recovery and prolongs sinus infection and use of nasal packs and splints
– Transseptal approach – requires an incision in the front of the nose, which extends recovery
– Craniotomy – requires a scalp incision. A surgeon lifts a small piece of bone, exposing coverings over the brain. The piece of bone is then replaced, and the scalp is closed. This operation sometimes is necessary because of tumor size or because it is inaccessible through the nose

• Focused radiation, also known as stereotactic radiosurgery – sometimes used after surgery when a tumor cannot be removed. At least two radiation beams are focused on the tumor, minimally affecting surrounding tissue
• Medications