The Neurological Surgery Program at Keck Hospital of USC utilizes its advanced technology and research abilities to treat patients with pituitary tumors both surgically and medically.

Though the majority of pituitary tumors are benign, there are two primary reasons to consider treatment:

• These lesions may secrete too much of the hormone that can cause damage or create abnormalities.
• The tumor itself may grow large enough to compress brain structures, most commonly the optic nerve, causing visual loss

In deciding whether a medical or surgical approach would be more beneficial for a patient with a pituitary tumor, the Keck Hospital of USC neurology staff determines whether the patient can tolerate medication, or if the tumor has continued to grow while the patient was taking medication. This initial determination is crucial, because once medication is started, it must be taken for life.