Can you live a normal life without a pituitary gland?
The pituitary gland is called the master gland of the endocrine system. This is because it controls many other hormone glands in the body. According to The Pituitary Foundation, without it, the body wouldn’t reproduce, wouldn’t grow properly and many other bodily functions just wouldn’t function.
How long does pituitary gland surgery take?
How long does the pituitary surgery take? Most patients are in the operating room for 3-4 hours, although occasionally it can take longer or may be even shorter. If the time goes over 4 hours, do not be alarmed. The staff will keep your family updated as the operation proceeds.
What is the survival rate for pituitary tumor?
The 5-year survival rate for people with a pituitary gland tumor is 97%. Survival rates depend on the type of tumor, the person’s age, and other factors.
What are the side effects of having your pituitary gland removed?
Risks and complications that may occur with this type of surgery also include:
- CSF rhinorrhea. CSF, or cerebrospinal fluid, is the fluid that surrounds the brain, and it may leak from the nose after surgery.
- Meningitis.
- Damage to normal parts of the pituitary gland.
- Diabetes insipidus.
- Severe bleeding.
- Visual problems.
What happens if you have your pituitary gland removed?
It is a risky procedure, with a long recovery time. The gland may be destroyed during surgery, leaving the endocrine system without regulation. If this happens, a person will require hormone replacement therapy.
Is pituitary surgery safe?
Endoscopic pituitary surgery is a safe type of surgery, but all surgical procedures carry some risk for reaction to anesthesia, bleeding, and infection. Risks and complications that may occur with this type of surgery also include: CSF rhinorrhea.
How long is the hospital stay for pituitary tumor surgery?
Safety: Doctors can access pituitary tumors without disrupting nearby healthy tissue. Shorter recovery time: Most patients stay in the hospital for two days and resume normal activities within two weeks.
Can pituitary tumors be removed?
Surgical removal of a pituitary tumor usually is necessary if the tumor is pressing on the optic nerves or if the tumor is overproducing certain hormones. The success of surgery depends on the tumor type, its location, its size and whether the tumor has invaded surrounding tissues.
How serious is a pituitary tumor?
Pituitary cancer is very rare. Still, the tumors can cause serious problems, either because of their size (large tumors) or because they make extra hormones your body doesn’t need (functioning tumors). They’re typically treated with surgery, medicine, or radiation.
What is the prognosis for a pituitary tumor?
If diagnosed early enough, the prognosis for a pituitary tumor is usually excellent. If diagnosis is delayed, even a nonfunctioning tumor can cause problems if it grows large enough to press on optic nerves, the brain, or carotid arteries (vessels that bring blood to the brain). Early diagnosis and treatment is the key to a good prognosis.
What happens if you have surgery on your pituitary gland?
Damage on Pituitary Gland – The patient, might require a hormone replacement surgery if his/her hormone secreting area of the pituitary gland is damaged because of the surgery. Severe Bleeding – Patient might experience excessive bleeding from his/her nose or inside the brain if their large blood vessel is damaged by the surgery.
How long does it take for pain to go away after pituitary surgery?
If you had surgery under your lip or through your nose, you may have a headache and a slight runny nose after surgery. This will get better in 1 to 2 weeks. Your doctor may recommend pain or decongestant medicines to help with these symptoms.
What kind of surgery is used to remove pituitary tumors?
Transsphenoidal surgery. This is the most common way to remove pituitary tumors. Transsphenoidal means that the surgery is done through the sphenoid sinus, a hollow space in the skull behind the nasal passages and below the brain.