Follow Up for Pituitary Cancer

After I am treated for a pituitary tumor, how will I be followed?

Shortly after treatment for functional (secreting) pituitary adenomas, blood will be drawn to measure hormone levels in the body. If the hormone levels have returned to normal after therapy, the main follow-up will be repeat blood draws, measuring for hormone levels every 3-6 months for several years after treatment. MRIs of the head may also be performed as part of follow up for these tumors. For patients who are taking medication to treat a functional pituitary adenoma, follow-up visits to the doctor and blood draws may be even more frequent. In the case of non-functional (non-secreting) adenomas and pituitary carcinomas, follow-up MRIs of the head will be obtained for the first few years.

The side effects of treatment, particularly radiation therapy, may take quite a while to develop, and it is not unusual for new side effects, such as decreased hormone production from the pituitary, to develop several years after treatment. Therefore, it is important to continue regular follow-up with your doctors after treatment. If side effects such as hypopituitarism do develop, you will need to take medications that will replace these hormones.

The treatment of pituitary tumors should be a cooperative effort involving the patient, radiation oncologist, neurosurgeon, and neurologist. It is important that all patients with pituitary tumors know about their disease so that they can make an informed decision about their treatment. This article was intended to help answer some of the common questions patients face when they have a pituitary tumor. If you have any additional questions, please contact your doctor.