Neurosurgery

Pituitary Tumour Treatment in Turkey

The pituitary gland (a pea-sized organ at the base of the brain) is the body's master hormonal regulator, controlling thyroid function, growth, cortisol production, reproductive hormones, and more. Pituitary tumours (adenomas) are almost always benign, but they can cause significant problems through two mechanisms: hormonal overproduction (secreting excess growth hormone, cortisol, or prolactin) and mass effect (compressing the optic nerves, causing visual field loss, or pressing on the brain).

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Pituitary adenomas are among the most common intracranial tumours, accounting for approximately 10–15% of all primary brain tumours. Many are small (microadenomas, < 10mm) and discovered incidentally. Larger tumours (macroadenomas, > 10mm) are more likely to cause symptoms.

Treatment options include medication (for prolactinomas and some other hormone-secreting tumours), surgery (transsphenoidal or transcranial), and Gamma Knife radiosurgery, often used in combination.

Conditions This Treatment Addresses

Acromegaly arrow_forward Cushing's Disease arrow_forward Pituitary Adenoma arrow_forward

Frequently Asked Questions
About Pituitary Tumour Treatment in Turkey

Are pituitary tumours cancerous?

In the vast majority of cases (over 99%), pituitary tumours are benign adenomas — not cancerous. They do not spread to other parts of the body. However, they can cause significant problems through hormone overproduction or compression of nearby structures (particularly the optic nerves).

What are the symptoms of a pituitary tumour?

Symptoms depend on the tumour type. Hormone-secreting tumours cause specific endocrine syndromes (acromegaly, Cushing's disease, hyperprolactinaemia). Non-functioning tumours may cause headaches, visual field loss (typically peripheral vision), or pituitary hormone deficiency. Many small pituitary tumours cause no symptoms at all.

Is pituitary surgery performed through the nose?

Yes. Transsphenoidal surgery accesses the pituitary through the nasal passages and sphenoid sinus, avoiding any brain retraction or craniotomy. It is minimally invasive, with most patients spending 2–4 days in hospital and recovering within 2–4 weeks.

When is Gamma Knife used instead of surgery?

Gamma Knife is used for small residual tumour after surgery, recurrent tumours, hormone-secreting tumours not fully controlled by surgery, and patients who are not suitable surgical candidates. For some small, well-defined adenomas, Gamma Knife may be used as primary treatment.

Will I need hormone replacement after pituitary surgery?

Some patients require temporary or permanent hormone replacement depending on how much normal pituitary tissue is affected by the tumour or surgery. Endocrine function is monitored closely before and after treatment, and replacement therapy is prescribed as needed.

Types of Pituitary Tumours

Prolactinomas, the most common pituitary tumour, producing excess prolactin. Often managed with medication (dopamine agonists) alone. Surgery or Gamma Knife is reserved for medication-resistant cases.

Growth hormone-secreting adenomas (acromegaly), causing enlargement of hands, feet, and facial features in adults. Usually requires surgery as first-line treatment, with Gamma Knife for residual tumour.

ACTH-secreting adenomas (Cushing's disease), causing excess cortisol production with wide-ranging systemic effects. Surgical removal is the primary treatment.

Non-functioning adenomas, do not produce excess hormones but can grow large enough to compress the optic nerves and pituitary stalk. Treatment is indicated when the tumour causes visual symptoms or continues to grow.

TSH-secreting adenomas, rare tumours causing hyperthyroidism.

Treatment Approaches

Transsphenoidal surgery. The most common surgical approach, reaching the pituitary through the nose and sphenoid sinus, without opening the skull. Modern endoscopic techniques provide excellent visualisation of the tumour and surrounding structures. Most patients experience minimal discomfort and a short hospital stay (2–4 days).

Transcranial surgery. Reserved for very large tumours with significant extension beyond the sella turcica (the bony pocket housing the pituitary). Requires a craniotomy but provides access to tumour components that cannot be reached through the nose.

Gamma Knife radiosurgery. Non-invasive radiation treatment used for residual tumour after surgery, recurrent tumours, hormone-secreting tumours that are not fully controlled by surgery, and patients who are not surgical candidates. Prof. Dr. Türker Kılıç pioneered Gamma Knife in Turkey and has extensive experience with pituitary adenomas. Read more about Gamma Knife →

Medication. Prolactinomas often respond to dopamine agonists (cabergoline, bromocriptine) without surgery. Somatostatin analogues (octreotide) can control growth hormone excess in acromegaly. Medication is sometimes used as an adjunct to surgery or Gamma Knife.

Cost in Turkey

Treatment	UK Cost	Turkey Cost
Transsphenoidal surgery	£10,000–£20,000	£6,000–£12,000
Gamma Knife for pituitary tumour	£12,000–£20,000	£5,000–£9,000

Your Surgeons

Prof. Dr. Türker Kılıç, Gamma Knife radiosurgery for pituitary adenomas, residual tumour treatment, and non-surgical candidates. Pioneer of Gamma Knife in Turkey with 30,000+ patients treated.

Prof. Dr. Akın Akakın, Microsurgical pituitary tumour resection, endoscopic endonasal approaches. Trained in endoscopic skull base anatomy at the University of Florida.