USC University Hospital Pituitary Tumor Program


USC University Hospital
1500 San Pablo Street
Los Angeles, CA 90033

Appointments may be made by calling:
1- (888) 700-5700
www.uscuh.com

The Pituitary Tumor Program is comprised of an experienced team of physicians focused upon the treatment and evaluation of patients harboring pituitary tumors and related disorders that affect the hypothalamic-pituitary axis.

The team consists of neuroendocrinologists, neuroradiologists, neuropathologoists, endovascular (interventional) neurosurgeons (for venous sampling of pituitary hormones secreted directly into the veins surrounding the pituitary), radiation oncologists (featuring Gamma Knife stereotaxic radiosurgery), and neurosurgeons pursuing clinical and research interests in the diagnosis, treatment and alternative management strategies available for pituitary tumors.

Patients can visit USC physicians in private offices in the Healthcare Consultation Center, located adjacent to USC University Hospital on the Plaza. Within both of these modern facilities, patients receive personal care and access to some of the most advanced technological services available, in a caring and comfortable environment.

Celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, USC University Hospital (USCUH) is a private, 265-bed research and teaching hospital. The Pituitary Program, along with the facility, is staffed by Boardcertified physicians and surgeons from the renowned Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California. Located in the heart of Los Angeles, USCUH combines the caring atmosphere of a private hospital with the skills, experience and research capabilities of a prominent medical school.

In its final stages of construction, the latest addition to USCUH will be the Norris Inpatient Tower, which will serve as the new home to the Norris Cancer team. Norris Cancer programs will continue their tradition of excellence in this new facility. The Norris Inpatient Tower will add approximately 193,000 square feet, including 132 private rooms, eleven new operating rooms and two ultra-modern operating suites that focus on minimally invasive surgeries.

In addition, USCUH is affiliated with USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center—one of only six in California to earn that distinction. The USC Health Sciences Campus is located just northeast of downtown Los Angeles.

Hospital Specialties

As a teaching hospital and comprehensive quaternary medical facility, USCUH provides a wide range of specialized medical and surgical services, including:
  • Bariatric surgery
     
  • Cardiovascular medicine and surgery
     
  • GammaKnife
     
  • General surgery
     
  • Multi-Organ Transplant Surgery
     
  • Neurology
     
  • Neurosurgery
     
  • Ophthalmology
     
  • Orthopaedics
     
  • Otolarygology
     
  • Plastic and reconstructive surgery
     
  • Thoracic-Foregut
     
  • Transfusion-free medicine and surgery
As an academic medical center, USCUH participates in hundreds of clinical trials in a broad variety of areas. These can often provide certain patients with access to new and exciting treatments that are not always available at other hospitals.

Honors and Recognition

In 2006, US News & World Report again named USCUH as one of America’s Best Hospitals:
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/health/best-hospitals/directory/glance_6930042.htm
  • USC University Hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). Unlike mandatory certification, JCAHO accreditation is voluntary and difficult to achieve.
     
  • Many USCUH physicians are cited in Best Doctors, which is based on an extensive poll of medical specialists worldwide.
     
  • Its physicians have received numerous individual awards and honors across a broad spectrum of specialties.
Pituitary Tumor Expertise

The surgical team has extensive experience with both the trans-sphenoidal and trans-cranial microsurgical approaches to pituitary tumors as well as tumors in and around the pituitary gland (i.e. meningiomas, craniopharyngiomas, Rathke's cleft cysts and hypothalamic lesions). Tumor genetic analysis is extensively utilized to amplify our understanding of the causes of and potential treatment strategies for pituitary tumors.

The following comprise the most common pituitary and related tumors seen by our physicians along with potential management strategies:
  • NON-FUNCTIONAL PITUITARY TUMORS (most common of all pituitary tumors, frequently present with visual loss): Surgical Excision, Stereotaxic Radiosurgery (Gamma Knife), Non- Operative Management Strategies.
  • PROLACTIN SECRETING PITUITARY TUMORS (most common functional pituitary tumors): Short (Bromocryptine) and Longer (Cabergoline) Acting Medical Therapies, Surgical Excision, Stereotaxic Radiosurgery (Gamma Knife), Molecular Analysis of Dopamine Receptor Activity.
  • GROWTH HORMONE SECRETING PITUITARY TUMORS (cause acromegaly in the adult and gigantism in children): Medical Therapies (Octreotide & Bromocryptine), Surgical Excision, Stereotaxic Radiosurgery (Gamma Knife).
  • ACTH SECRETING PITUITARY TUMORS (Cushings Disease): Cavernous Sinus Venous Sampling to Localize Tumors, Medical Therapies, Surgical Excision, Stereotaxic Radiosurgery (Gamma Knife).
  • CRANIOPHARYNGIOMAS Bi-Modal Occurrence in Childhood and Older Adults, Cystic and Solid Components Determine Best Surgical Approach (trans-sphenoidal or trans-cranial), Definitive Treatment May Require Stereotaxic Radiosurgery (Gamma Knife).
  • RATHKE'S CLEFT CYST (Fluid Filled Lesion Derived from Embryologic Tissue): Surgical Approaches Designed to Minimize Potential for Recurrent Cysts.
  • MENINGIOMAS (Benign Tumors that May Compress the Pituitary Gland and Stalk Causing Pituitary Malfunction or Optic Nerve Compression Causing Visual Loss): Medical Therapies for Non-Resectable Tumors (RU 486 and Hydroxy-Urea), Microsurgical Resection, Stereotaxic Radiosurgery (Gamma Knife).

Research Projects