How are pituitary tumors diagnosed?
As many as 40% of all pituitary tumors do not release excessive quantities of hormones into the blood. Known as clinically nonfunctioning, these tumors are difficult to distinguish from tumors that produce similar symptoms. They may grow to be quite large before they are diagnosed.
Endocrinologic evaluation is absolutely necessary in determining the type of pituitary tumor and what the best treatment plan is for that given tumor. Sometimes medical therapy alone is indicated for a tumor and in other circumstances surgical resection is necessary. In both cases, treatment frequently results in control of the tumor if not cure.
Either CT or MRI with contrast enhancement is also necessary in the evaluation of pituitary tumors. MRI is superior to CT, especially in large tumors and in assessing for recurrence. |
