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Rid of Tumors and their Affects with Pituitary Gland Surgery
Pituitary
gland is a small pea shaped gland situated in the brain that regulates
the hormones in the body. The hormones have a remarkable impact on the
metabolism, reproduction, sexuality, and other functions of the body.
Tumors, injury infections, and inflammations cause variation in the hormones
level leading to an imbalance in the body.
The tumors in the pituitary gland are abnormal growth of pituitary cells
and their chances of turning cancerous are very rare. These tumors affect
according to the cell origin and cause infertility, hypothyroidism, reduced
libido, osteoporosis, and other growth process.
These tumors affect different people in different ways according to their
source. When left untreated or misdiagnosed it may lead to blindness,
heart disease, and sometimes prove fatal.
The tumors in the pituitary gland can influence the sugar control level.
An endoscopy, a minimal access surgery, can get rid of their diabetic
problem.
The treatment depends on the location and severity of the tumor in the
brain, the type of pituitary tumor, the age of the patient, and the physical
condition of the person. An early diagnosis helps in treating these tumors
with radio surgery, medications, and surgery.
Surgery is the general treatment for these tumors and is mostly successful
when performed by skilled and expert neurosurgeons. A transphenoidal operation
gets rid of the tumor through a nasal cut that leaves no external scar.
Sometimes, an opening in the upper lip instead of the nose helps remove
the tumor. A rare surgery called the Craniotomy is opted to remove large
tumors where the cut is made in the front of the skull.
Earlier the open surgery used the microscope to view the tumor in contrast
to the advanced technology where a camera is placed on the tip of the
endoscope. The small thin tube gives a clear picture of the entire tumor.
The entire process and the hospital stay totally is a day or two and the
patient recovers very quickly and resume to normal activities.
Although the gland is not removed there are possible side effects after
the removal of the tumor and functioning of the gland. Usually there are
no much risks and complications after the surgery but there can be a variation
in the hormonal level, which can be treated with injections or medications.
There can be a fluid ooze from the area tinged with blood for two or three
weeks which is a common condition. But, when it becomes thick and foul
smelling the neurosurgeon need to be consulted immediately as it could
be sinus infection.
In exceptional cases, a clear watery fluid drains from the nose, which
is the liquid that surrounds the spinal cord and the brain. When the membrane
opens in the surgery, it leaks through the nose that needs immediate medical
attention.
Another operation is necessary to repair the problem and patient needs
to stay for a week further in the hospital. The nerves or the arteries
to the brain can be affected with some type of infection post the surgery,
but these are very uncommon.
