View clinical trials related to Pituitary Neoplasms.
Filter by:During transsphenoidal resection of pituitary tumors and cysts, surgery is performed by a neurosurgeon and ear nose and throat surgeon. The pituitary tumor or cyst is reached by making a small hole in the back of the nose into the bottom of the skull. The surgeon is able to see the pituitary and tumor with an endoscope and remove the tumor through the hole. Surgery on the pituitary can cause disruption in the secretion of ACTH and cause adrenal failure (lack of cortisol secretion) which can cause nausea, vomiting, low blood pressure, and rarely can be fatal. There is no consensus among endocrinologists and neurosurgeons about the use of perioperative steroids in pituitary patients. Traditionally, all patients undergoing pituitary surgery were given steroids before, during, and after surgery because of the assumption that there would be some compromise in the amount of ACTH released by the pituitary as a result of surgical trauma. Studies have failed to show, however, that ACTH secretion is in fact compromised during transsphenoidal pituitary microsurgery. As a result, there are some centers that routinely give perioperative steroids to all patients undergoing pituitary surgery and there are some centers that do not routinely give perioperative steroids. There are several retrospective and prospective studies that have addressed this issue and have shown that withholding perioperative steroids is safe, but there has never been a prospective study comparing the two approaches. Objectives: The goal of this study is to prospectively compare two approaches to the perioperative management of patients undergoing transsphenoidal resection of a pituitary tumor or cyst. One protocol includes the routine use of perioperative steroids and the other does not. The investigators hypothesis, based on previous studies, is that patients who are adrenally sufficient do not routinely need to be treated with perioperative steroids. The investigators also hypothesize that the use of perioperative steroids may be associated with a higher rate of adverse outcomes
Recent studies estimate that the prevalence of pituitary adenomas is approximately 1/1500 persons. Pituitary tumours are usually considered as benign. However, local invasion is reported in 35-40% of pituitary adenomas; resistance to medical treatment or recurrence leading to multimodal therapy is reported in about 15% of cases. These tumours are considered as aggressive pituitary tumours and present a distinct biological and clinical entity with continued growth despite multimodal therapy, including surgery and radiotherapy (McCormack et al., 2011). Whilst these tumours have malignant potential, the term of pituitary carcinoma is strictly reserved for those rare tumours (0.2%) with demonstrated craniospinal or systemic metastases (Heaney, 2011). Pituitary aggressive and malignant tumours are very difficult to control and ultimately prove to be lethal. It was suggested that early aggressive treatments (chemotherapy, radiotherapy) may control progression and occurrence of metastases. However, these therapeutic options are associated with important side effects limiting their use and the prediction of pituitary tumor behaviour remains a challenge. At the diagnosis, clinical signs are not specific and the results concerning proliferative factors (Ki-67 and P53), putative oncogenes (PTTG) conflict from one series to another. In a case-control retrospective study of a cohort of 410 patients (HYPOPRONOS), we validated a prognostic pathological classification based on histological and radiological data (J. Trouillas 2012 in preparation). Tumours were classified into 3 grades: grade 1= non-invasive tumour, grade 2= invasive tumour and grade 3 = aggressive-invasive tumor with the combination of radiological signs of invasion and 2 of 3 signs of increased proliferation (Ki-67 index>3%, number of mitoses>2 per 10 fields at 400X, P53 nuclear detection). It is now widely accepted that cancer is a clonal disease, which arises from a single normal cell and progresses thanks to the accumulation of DNA alterations (Sanson et al., 2011). To identify the role of these DNA alterations, we conducted array CGH analysis limited to 13 prolactin pituitary tumours, from frozen fragments, and identified allelic loss of chromosome 11 associated with aggressiveness and malignancy (Wierinckx et al., 2011). To confirm these encouraging results we propose to conduct a study on a large series of tumours, fixed and embed, and to be correlated the results to clinical data.
The risk of bleeding is important during transsphenoidal surgery. This study aims to find if the ventilation mode, controlled pressure and controlled volume, modifies the risk of bleeding.
The purpose of this study is to allow continued use of pasireotide in patients who are on pasireotide treatment in a Novartis-sponsored study and are benefiting from the treatment as judged by the investigator.
The purpose of this research study is to determine the utility of educational materials designed to inform patients of their pituitary condition, in an effort to assist the patients, families, and staff deal with pituitary tumours and related conditions in the best way possible. We have developed a website, informational videos, and a brochure for pituitary tumour patients and their families. The primary outcome measures will be 1) the level of knowledge that patients have of their condition before and after reviewing the materials provided; and 2) ease of use and user satisfaction of the materials. We hypothesize that our informative multimedia educational package will not only improve the health literacy and self-efficacy of patients and their families, but will also improve quality of care.
Many types of cancers overexpress a receptor for the vitamin folate (Folate Receptor). This Phase 2 study will utilize a standard imaging radionuclide, technetium-99m, conjugated to a ligand (EC20) designed to bind to the folate receptor. The study is designed as an open-label, baseline-controlled study.
The purpose of this study is to determine if there is a significant difference in sinonasal disease specific quality of life and utility scores between patients undergoing the posterior septectomy or Stamm approach during endoscopic pituitary adenoma resection.
There are no available medical treatment options for patients with non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPA) or with resistant prolactinomas to dopamine agonists (DA) who are not cured by surgery. The study of the receptors by quantitative mRNA expression levels and immunohistochemistry analysis might end with a better understanding of these tumors. Besides that, it will be assessed the in vitro and in vivo responses to pasireotide (for NFPA and prolactinomas) and cabergoline (for NFPA). These responses will be compared with the receptor expressions which may be a tool as a predicting element of the response to these compounds.
The purpose of the study is to evaluate the Calcium homeostasis in adult patients with uncontrolled acromegaly. The measurements will be repeated 3-6 months after the treatment of acromegaly (surgical or medical). The control group consists of patients with nonfunctioning pituitary tumors who will undergo surgical removal.
This project is the first comprehensive prospective study of clinically non-functioning pituitary adenomas (CNFAs). Two groups of subjects will be studied: Group I will consist of 100 patients with clinically non-functioning (CNF) pituitary lesions who are asymptomatic and do not require surgery; Group II will consist of 250 patients who have pituitary lesions that are symptomatic and require surgery. Patients will be followed with a series of endocrine laboratory testing, physical examinations, testing of quality of life and neurocognitive function before and serially over time either during non-surgical management or after surgery and in some patients before and after radiotherapy (RT). Data on pituitary magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies and visual field testing being done over time during follow up as part of clinical care will be collected.