If someone you care about has just been told they have a pituitary adenoma, those words can sound frightening. The reassuring reality is that this is one of the most treatable growths in neurosurgery. In the video above, Dr. Kalyan Bommakanti — Senior Consultant Neurosurgeon at Apollo Hospitals, Secunderabad — explains it simply; the summary below captures the key points.
What is a pituitary adenoma?
A pituitary adenoma is a small cluster of abnormal cells that grows inside the pituitary gland at the base of the brain. It does not come from the brain itself and it does not spread anywhere else — it is simply a growth within one small gland.
Is a pituitary adenoma cancer?
No — it is not cancer. A pituitary adenoma is benign and does not spread to other organs. About 90% of patients are completely cured with a single operation, and many patients do not need surgery at all.
What does the pituitary gland do?
The pituitary gland is only the size of a pea, yet it is the body’s “master gland.” It controls growth, thyroid function, cortisol and reproduction by sending signals to every other gland. That is why an adenoma can upset your hormones and, if it presses upward on the optic nerves, affect your vision.
Does it always need surgery?
Not always. Small, symptom-free tumours can simply be monitored, and prolactin-secreting tumours often respond to tablets. When surgery is needed, Dr. Kalyan performs it through the nose using an endoscope — with no opening of the skull, no cut on the face and no shaving of the head. Most patients walk the next day and go home within a few days.
A coordinated team approach
With more than 7,500 surgeries behind him, Dr. Kalyan treats every patient with a coordinated team — an ENT surgeon (Dr. Vyshnavi Bommakanti), an endocrinologist and an eye specialist working together. The earlier a pituitary adenoma is evaluated, the better the outcome.
Read more: the full Pituitary Adenoma patient guide & video library, with videos on symptoms, surgery and recovery.
📱 Have an MRI or a diagnosis? WhatsApp your scans or questions to Dr. Kalyan’s team on 85200 03683.
More videos on this topic: What Is a Pituitary Adenoma →