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Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas
07:43

Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas

Published on: January 17, 2018

Functional gonadotroph adenomas

Diane Donegan1, Dana Erickson

  • 1Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.

Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Obesity
|August 13, 2026
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Functional gonadotroph tumors (FGTs) are rare pituitary tumors. Early detection and surgical treatment are key, with long-term follow-up crucial due to potential recurrence.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Neurosurgery
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Functional gonadotroph tumors (FGTs) are rare anterior pituitary neoplasms.
  • These tumors secrete gonadotropins, leading to various clinical manifestations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the limited information on the optimal management of FGTs.
  • To highlight diagnostic challenges and treatment strategies for these rare tumors.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of FGTs.
  • Analysis of existing data on surgical outcomes and long-term follow-up.

Main Results:

  • FGT symptoms are often nonspecific, leading to delayed diagnosis.
  • Mass effect symptoms like visual changes and headaches are common presenting features.
  • Many patients are diagnosed retrospectively after presenting with mass effects.

Conclusions:

  • High clinical suspicion and comprehensive investigations are essential for FGT detection.
  • Surgery remains the primary treatment modality for FGTs.
  • Long-term surveillance is necessary due to reported tumor recurrence.
Keywords:
functional gonadotroph adenomasovarian hyperstimulation syndromepituitary adenomas

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