USC University Hospital Institute for Pituitary Tumors

The Institute is comprised of an experienced team of physicians focused upon the treatment and evaluation of patients harboring pituitary tumors and related disorders that effect the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. The Director of the program, Dr. Martin H. Weiss, brings a personal experience with over 3000 operated pituitary tumors, which is the largest series of any active surgeon west of the Mississippi and second largest series in the country. The program is augmented by Dr. Charles Y. Liu, Co-Director of the program.

The team consists of neuroendocrinologists, neuroradiologists, neuropathologists, endovascular (interventional) neurosurgeons (for venous sampling of pituitary hormones secreted directly into the veins surrounding the pituitary), radiation oncologists (featuring Gamma Knife stereotaxic radiosurgery), and neurosurgeons pursuing clinical and research interests in the diagnosis, treatment and alternative management strategies available for pituitary tumors. The surgical team has extensive experience with both the trans-sphenoidal and trans-cranial microsurgical approaches to pituitary tumors as well as tumors in and around the pituitary gland (i.e. meningiomas, craniopharyngiomas, Rathke's cleft cysts and hypothalamic lesions). Tumor genetic analysis is extensively utilized to amplify the understanding of the causes of and potential treatment strategies for pituitary tumors.

The following comprise the most common pituitary and related tumors seen at the Institute along with potential management strategies:

• Non-Functional Pituitary Tumors: (most common of all pituitary tumors, frequently present with visual loss): Surgical Excision, Stereotaxic Radiosurgery (Gamma Knife), Non-Operative Management Strategies
  
• Prolactin Secreting Pituitary Tumors: (most common functional pituitary tumors): Short (Bromocryptine) and Longer (Cabergoline) Acting Medical Therapies, Surgical Excision, Stereotaxic Radiosurgery (Gamma Knife), Molecular Analysis of Dopamine Receptor Activity
  
• Growth Hormone Secreting Pituitary Tumors: (cause acromegaly in the adult and gigantism in children): Medical Therapies (Octreotide & Bromocryptine), Surgical Excision, Stereotaxic Radiosurgery (Gamma Knife)
  
• ACTH Secreting Pituitary Tumors: (Cushings Disease): Cavernous Sinus Venous Sampling to Localize Tumors, Medical Therapies, Surgical Excision, Stereotaxic Radiosurgery (Gamma Knife)
  
• Craniopharyngiomas: Bi-Modal Occurrence in Childhood and Older Adults, Cystic and Solid Components Determine Best Surgical Approach (trans-sphenoidal or trans-cranial), Definitive Treatment May Require Stereotaxic Radiosurgery (Gamma Knife)
  
• Rathke's Cleft Cyst: (Fluid Filled Lesion Derived from Embryologic Tissue): Surgical Approaches Designed to Minimize Potential for Recurrent Cysts
  
• Meningiomas: (Benign Tumors that may compress the Pituitary Gland and Stalk causing Pituitary Malfunction or Optic Nerve Compression causing Visual Loss): Medical Therapies for Non-Resectable Tumors (RU 486 and Hydroxy-Urea), Microsurgical Resection, Stereotaxic Radiosurgery (Gamma Knife)