Last updated: 02/17/2009

Surgery is a common treatment for pituitary tumors. For patients in whom hypophysectomy has failed or who are not suitable candidates for surgery, radiotherapy is another possible treatment. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x rays to kill cancer...

cells and shrink tumors. Radiation to the pituitary gland is given over a six-week period, with improvement occurring in 40–50% of adults and up to 80% of children. It may take several months or years before patients feel better from radiation treatment alone. However, the combination of radiation and the drug mitotane (Lysodren) has been shown to help speed recovery. Mitotane suppresses cortisol production and lowers plasma and urine hormone levels. Treatment with mitotane alone can be successful in 30–40% of patients. Other drugs used alone or in combination to control the production of excess cortisol are aminoglutethimide, metyrapone, trilostane, and ketoconazole.