[Non-functioning pituitary adenoma: is there an interest to treat a residue after surgery?]

Rev Med Brux. 2011 Nov-Dec;32(6):509-12.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Diagnosis of non-functioning pituitary adenoma is generally posted when there is a compression of the ophthalmic nerve or when a hypopituitarism occurred. Surgery will be the first treatment but complete removal can be achieved in less than 50% of the patients. In the great majority of the patients, there is a recurrence and a new treatment is proposed. The question is when we must treat a residue after surgery. We performed a retrospective study reviewing a series of 111 patients with a non-functioning pituitary adenoma. All patients had a pre- and post-operative MRI (1.5 T). A statistical analysis was done to determine the influence of the resection, the age of the patient on the recurrence. A complete removal was achieved for 45 patients and 11 of these present a recurrence. 39 patients out of 66 patients who had a partial removal presented also a recurrence. The mean age of the population is 53 years. The statistical analysis demonstrates that patients with a complete removal had less recurrence. Patient with an age below 60 years had more frequently a recurrence compared with older than 60 years old. In conclusion, treatment for non-functioning pituitary adenoma is a transsphenoidal approach surgery. A complete surgery must be the aim of the neurosurgeon. And when a residue is present, a secondary treatment must be given for patient with an age below 60 years old like radiosurgery or radiation therapy.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adenoma / epidemiology
  • Adenoma / physiopathology
  • Adenoma / surgery*
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Disease Progression
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm, Residual / epidemiology
  • Neoplasm, Residual / therapy*
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / physiopathology
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / surgery*
  • ROC Curve
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Young Adult