Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 18, 2026

Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas
Published on: January 17, 2018
Clinical management of pituitary carcinomas
Michael C Oh1, Tarik Tihan, Sandeep Kunwar
1Department of Neurological Surgery, California Center for Pituitary Disorders, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
Abstract:
Pituitary carcinomas are defined as malignant primary neoplasms of the adenohypophysis with either systemic or craniospinal metastases. Although pituitary adenomas are common, pituitary carcinomas only make up 0.1% to 0.2% of all pituitary tumors. Prognosis is very poor with approximately 66% mortality in the first year of diagnosis. Although effective medical and surgical treatments are available for pituitary adenomas, pituitary carcinomas require a multimodality treatment including surgery, hormonal therapy, cytotoxic chemotherapy, and radiation with limited success. Here we review the clinical behavior and pathologic characteristics of pituitary carcinomas and the recent advances in potential therapies for this malignant disease.
Related Concept Videos
Chronic Pancreatitis II: Collaborative Care
Assessment:
Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
Cushing Syndrome I: Introduction
Tumor Immunotherapy
Cushing Syndrome II: Pathophysiology
