Outcomes of surgical treatment for pituitary metastasis

Abstract

We analyzed the outcomes of surgical treatment for pituitary metastasis (PM) based on 35 observations. We registered the best estimates of resection radicalism in patients with minor PM, its inconsiderable spread ascending and descending from the diaphragm of the sella turcica, slightly bleeding metastasis, and no invading to the cavernous sinus. Positive changes in the PM patients’ quality of life are chiefly associated with regressed visual impairment, local pain syndrome, and, to a lesser degree, oculomotor disorders. No post-operative regress or intensifying of hormonal impairments, such as diabetes insipidus and hypopituitarism, were seen. The age of patients, the time interval between the cancer diagnosis and the PM occurrence, control of the underlying disease, size of the tumour are the factors determining the life expectancy in PM patients.