Your pituitary gland is a small, hormone-producing gland that lives in a unique location at the base of the brain. People often call it the “master gland” because the hormones it secretes and controls are vital for the overall homeostasis of the body. Because of its function, location and close vicinity to vital structures in the brain, pathologies and tumors that affect the pituitary gland or grow close to it can have profound effects on your brain and body as a whole.
At California Pacific Medical Center, we are proud to offer a dedicated, multidisciplinary skull base surgery service. This state-of-the-art technique, also known as endoscopic endonasal pituitary surgery, allows doctors to more easily treat conditions and complex tumors located near your pituitary gland, including:
- Pituitary Adenoma (Pituitary Tumor)
- Meningioma
- Craniopharyngioma
- Rathke Cleft Cyst
- Chordoma
With skull base surgery, surgeons use minimally-invasive techniques to locate and access these tumors through the nose and sinuses. They use high-definition optics and advanced tools that are specifically designed to work through this endonasal corridor so they can take advantage of the operative angles provided by the endoscope.
At CPMC, exceptional neurosurgery and otorhinolaryngology doctors work closely with our excellent team in endocrinology, neuro-ophthalmology, neuroradiology, neurointerventional surgery and radiation oncology. Together, we work to treat these complex tumors with maximum effectiveness while minimizing injury and invasiveness.