Pituitary Tumors

Pituitary tumors are growths that occur in the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland has a very important role in regulating numerous hormones for the body.  The majority of pituitary tumors are benign adenomas. Some pituitary adenomas require surgery because they disrupt normal hormone production. Others may require surgery because they grow to push on the optic nerves and impair vision. 

We also offer care for Rathke's cleft cyst. A Rathke's cleft cyst is a benign cyst filled with fluid that forms in the region of the skull where the pituitary gland rests. When these cysts grow large enough, they can cause disturbances in hormone functioning.

About the Pituitary Tumor Center 

The Pituitary Tumor Center of Columbia University Irving Medical Center provides comprehensive, multidisciplinary care of patients afflicted with this condition, in addition to extensive research on tumors of the pituitary gland.

The team of nationally and internationally recognized experts in pituitary disease includes specialists in neurosurgery, neuroendocrinology, radiation oncology, and radiology. The team works together to research and develop individualized diagnostic and treatment plans for each patient. This coordinated, multidisciplinary approach to care is unique in the New York Metropolitan area.

We offer endocrinologic evaluations at our neuroendocrine unit and rapid pre-operative consultations. Weekly, multi-disciplinary neuroendocrine rounds provide a forum for review of radiological studies and discussion of diagnostic and treatment plans and integrates all team members into each patient’s care.

We also offer diagnostic evaluations such as petrosal sinus sampling, performed by a radiologist, for the evaluation of patients with Cushing syndrome. We offer expert neurological surgery at the Department of Neurological Surgery by a highly experienced, dedicated pituitary surgeon. Multiple options are available for pituitary surgery. Our average length of stay for pituitary surgery is two days, well below the U.S. average of five days.

For patients undergoing surgery, a specialized pituitary surgery hospital team of physicians and nurses provide in-hospital and post-operative care, ensuring close follow-up on discharge. Complimenting our clinical programs are many research programs funded by the National Institutes of Health. These programs offer patients the opportunity to receive novel diagnostic and therapeutic options for their pituitary tumors above and beyond those routinely available.