Surgical and Radiosurgical Treatment of the Pituitary Neuroendocrine Tumors

Abstract

Pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs) arising from adenohypophyseal cells are generally accepted as benign. It is a very heterogeneous group of tumors according to their origin, biological behavior, and growth patterns. It is the third most common intracranial tumor type after meningiomas and gliomas. Transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) is the primary treatment of choice in all PitNETs except for lactotroph tumors, which are primarily treated with dopamine agonists. In this book section, surgical approaches in the treatment of PitNETs will be explained. In addition, PitNET radiosurgery will be explained in detail by using current literature information.