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Updated: May 5, 2026
07:43
Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas
Published on: January 17, 2018
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Aggressive tumors and difficult choices in acromegaly
Carmen A Carrasco1, Mônica Gadelha, Marcos Manavela
1Departamento de Endocrinología, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
Pituitary
|December 3, 2013
Summary
Aggressive pituitary adenomas in acromegaly patients present challenges. These tumors are less responsive to treatments, have higher recurrence rates, and a poorer prognosis, requiring complex management strategies.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
Background:
- Acromegaly results from excess growth hormone, often caused by pituitary adenomas.
- Pituitary adenomas are typically benign but can exhibit aggressive behavior.
Observation:
- This review examines factors contributing to aggressive pituitary adenomas in acromegaly.
- A Latin American case study perspective informs the analysis.
Findings:
- Aggressive pituitary adenomas compromise surrounding structures and are resistant to somatostatin analogs.
- These tumors have increased recurrence risk post-surgery, leading to a worse prognosis.
Implications:
- Management of aggressive pituitary adenomas is challenging, often necessitating multimodal therapy.
- Limited resources can further complicate treatment strategies for these difficult-to-manage lesions.
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