Pituitary tumors are those that develop in the pituitary gland. The pituitary is the master gland situated immediately beneath the brain. It controls most hormone-producing glands, such as the thyroid and adrenals. The pituitary is connected directly to part of the brain called the hypothalamus. This provides a key link between the brain and the endocrine system, a collection of glands and organs in the body that make hormones Some of these tumors cause the pituitary gland to make too much of certain hormones that control important body functions. Others can cause the pituitary gland to make too little of those hormones.
Pituitary tumours (also known as pituitary adenomas, pituitary neuroendocrine tumours or ‘pitNETs’) are relatively common, affecting 1 in 1000 people and accounting for 15% of all tumours of the central nervous system.
Pituitary tumours cause headaches, loss of vision and serious systemic health problems due to hormone excess or deficiency. The most common type of pituitary adenoma is prolactinoma, comprising >60% of all cases, and being particularly prevalent in reproductive-age people.
South Australia has an expert multidisciplinary team of clinician-researchers working on novel solutions to improve the diagnosis and management of pituitary tumours. Projects to date include surgical training techniques to improve pituitary surgery expertise, identification of new pituitary tumour predisposition genes and studies of the toxicities associated with dopamine agonists (e.g., cabergoline) in the treatment of prolactinomas. These projects have been featured in major international guidelines.
With your support, we can continue our innovative research to provide more diagnostic and treatment options for people with pituitary tumours in South Australia and beyond.
2025 Research Funded:
Funding: $50,000
F-FDOPA PET/CT for the identification of prolactinomas and prediction of dopamine agonist treatment response: development of a novel molecular imaging scan for pituitary tumours. Tumours of the pituitary gland (located beneath the brain) are common, affecting 1/1000 people. Prolactinomas (defined by hypersecretion of prolactin hormone) are the most frequent pituitary tumour subtype. Currently, no functional imaging tests are available for the diagnosis of prolactinomas. In this world-first study, we will assess the ability of a radiotracer, F-FDOPA, to provide functional information about these tumours and aid in their diagnosis. Here, we will demonstrate its ability to diagnose prolactinomas and inform management decisions e.g., surgical planning and responsiveness to medications.
Dr James McNeil, MBBS FRACP FAANMS
Nuclear Medicine, Royal Adelaide Hopsital
A/Prof Sunita De Sousa, MBBS MSc PhD FRACP
Endocrinology & Clinical Genetics, Royal Adelaide Hopsital
2023 Research Funded:
Funding: $64,000
Endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery (EETS) to remove pituitary adenomas is now an accepted approach since first being described in 1992. Over the last 30 years the complications associated with endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery has dramatically improved, namely rates of CSF leak, visual outcomes and degree of tumour resection. Post operative endocrinopathy from damage to the pituitary gland and/or stalk does not appear to have reduced overtime at a similar rate to other complications. This research project would examine the South Australian experience with EETS and determine if the same relationship exists between surgeon experience and rates of post operative endocrinopathy. Furthermore, the accuracy of neuronavigation in skull base surgery will be quantified and identification of the difference in membrane receptor expression between pituitary glad and pituitary tumour will be examined.
Dr Nick Candy Neurosurgical Accredited Registrar and Ph.D in Surgery Student
ABBIE SIMPSON CLINICAL FELLOW
