MRI is the imaging test of choice for pituitary tumors. The treatments can be divided in medical, radiation and surgery. Medical treatment is primarily used to treat tumors that oversecrete prolactin and growth hormone. Other medications that are employed have their action at the end organs, like the adrenal glands, liver and thyroid. Radiation therapy is usually reserve for cases of recurrance that cannot be safely resected surgically.
Pituitary tumors do respond well to radiation therapy.
For pituitary tumors that are either nonsecreting or are causing significant compression of the visual apparatus, surgery is the preferred therapy. The transsphenoidal approach is preferred and involves taking the tumor out through an incision in the mouth. Patients with a pituitary tumor have a good prognosis. Pituitary tumors need to be followed both radiographically and medically to ensure the tumor is not recurring. Tumors that invade surrounding structure of the brain are difficult to cure surgically and may require radiation therapy to control the growth of the tumor.