1st order.
Surgical resection (selective adenomectomy) is the first-line therapy; usually, surgery is performed via the transnasal or transsphenoidal approach (i.e., removal of the tumor via an approach through the nose).
Despite the surgery, complete recovery subsequently occurs in only about 50% of patients.
Possible complications of surgery for pituitary adenoma:
- Diabetes insipidus – hormone deficiency-related disorder in hydrogen metabolism leading to extremely high urine excretion (polyuria; 5-25 l/day) due to impaired concentration capacity of the kidneys; incidence: 6-11 %.
- Anterior pituitary insufficiency (HVL insufficiency) – failure of endocrine functions (hormone function) of the anterior pituitary lobe (HVL); frequency: 6-15 %.
- Epistaxis (nosebleeds) frequency: 1-3 %.
- Injury to the internal carotid artery Frequency: 0-1.3%.
