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Injections (shots) that stop the tumor from releasing hormones " “ There is one kind that you use 3 times a day, and another kind that you use once every 4 weeks.Medicine that blocks the effects of growth hormone " “ You take this once a day as an injection.Pills that stop the tumor from releasing hormones " “ These usually don't work as well as the medicines you can get through injections. But they might be easier to take.Radiation " “ Sometimes doctors treat pituitary tumors with radiation. Radiation uses high doses of X-rays to destroy the tumor.
All of these treatments can have side effects. Your doctor can talk to you about which treatments are best for you. ‚
What if I want to get pregnant? " ” Many women with acromegaly are able to have normal pregnancies. Before trying to get pregnant, ask your doctors about which medicines are safe to take during pregnancy. You will also need to see your endocrinologist (the doctor who treats your acromegaly) regularly while you are pregnant. ‚
What will my life be like? " ” Doctors can successfully treat most people with acromegaly. You will need to see your doctor regularly to make sure that your treatments are working, and make changes if needed. ‚
All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. ‚
This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. ‚
Topic 16728 Version 4.0 ‚
Release: 22.8 - C22.206 ‚
‚ © 2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. ‚
figure 1
Pituitary gland
The pituitary is a small gland in the middle of the head, just below the brain. This gland releases several hormones that control the thyroid gland, adrenal glands, and reproductive organs.
Graphic 63094 Version 4.0
View Originalfigure 1
Pituitary gland
The pituitary is a small gland in the middle of the head, just below the brain. This gland releases several hormones that control the thyroid gland, adrenal glands, and reproductive organs.
Graphic 63094 Version 4.0
View Original
figure 2
Surgery to remove a pituitary tumor
In this kind of surgery (called "transsphenoidal surgery"), the surgeon makes a small cut deep inside the nose. Then the surgeon inserts special tools into the "sphenoid sinus," the hollow space below the pituitary gland. That way the surgeon has access to the pituitary gland and can remove the tumor. In some cases, surgeons do the surgery using a special tool called an "endoscope," which is a long tube with a tiny camera and a light on the end.
Graphic 75464 Version 4.0
View Originalfigure 2
Surgery to remove a pituitary tumor
In this kind of surgery (called "transsphenoidal surgery"), the surgeon makes a small cut deep inside the nose. Then the surgeon inserts special tools into the "sphenoid sinus," the hollow space below the pituitary gland. That way the surgeon has access to the pituitary gland and can remove the tumor. In some cases, surgeons do the surgery using a special tool called an "endoscope," which is a long tube with a tiny camera and a light on the end.
Graphic 75464 Version 4.0
View Original
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‚ © 2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. ‚