Pituitary adenomas are the most common type of pituitary tumor. They cause a variety of disorders including acromegaly (excess growth hormone), Cushing's disease (excess ACTH), elevated prolactin (prolactinoma), and rarely elevated thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Craniopharyngiomas and Rathke's cleft cysts are other lesions that arise in the pituitary.

The treatment of tumors at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center is a collaborative effort between the Departments of Neurosurgery, Radiation Oncology, and the Endocrinology and Neuro-ophthalmology Sections. Quality of life is further enhanced by the participation members of the Department of Otolaryngology and the Neuro-radiology and Neuropathology Sections when appropriate.

Surgical treatments including transsphenoidal surgery and stereotactic radiosurgery (Gamma Knife) are special areas of expertise in the Pituitary Tumor Center. Members of the Center are also pioneers in delivering fractionated radiation to pituitary tumors using three-dimensional treatment planning; this minimizes the radiaition dose to normal brain and nerves. In addition, medical management often serves as the primary line of therapy for prolactinomas and is increasingly important in the treatment of acromegaly.

Pituitary Referrals

Physicians may refer patients to the Pituitary Tumor Center by contacting the Physicians Access Line at any time or by contacting the offices of any of the Center members listed below.

Patients or families may refer inquiries regarding pituitary disorders to theWake Forest University Baptist Medical Center's Health On-Call Service.

Pituitary Research

Wake Forest University School of Medicine has an outstanding research program in diseases of the pituitary gland. Focuses include understanding the development of the pituitary during fetal growth (crucial to eventual pituitary replacement/transplantation therapy), the role of growth hormone in aging, and the cause(s) of pituitary adenomas. Both basic laboratory research and clinical research on pituitary diseases are emphasized.

Members:

Neurosurgery

Stephen B. Tatter, M.D., Ph.D.
David L. Kelly Jr., M.D.
Thomas L. Ellis, M.D.
Joyce Moser, N.P.-C.

Endocrinology (Neuro-endocrinology)

K. Patrick Ober, M.D.
Sandra S. Werbel, M.D.
Larry K. Cantley

Radiation Medicine

Edward G. Shaw, M.D.
Volker W. Stieber, M.D.

Otolaryngology

John May, M.D.
J. Dale Browne, M.D
Brian L. Matthews, M.D.

Reproductive Endocrinology

Jeffrey L. Deaton, M.D.

Neuropathology

Venkata R. Challa, M.D.

Constance A. Stanton, M.D.

Wake Forest Pituitary Research Laboratories

James C. Rose, Ph.D.
William E. Sonntag, Ph.D.: Laboratory Overview
Jeffrey Schwartz, Ph.D.

Neuro-ophthalmology

Timothy J. Martin, M.D.

Neuroradiology

Allen D. Elster, M.D.
Dixon M. Moody, M.D.
P. Pearse Morris M.B., B.Ch.
Daniel W. Williams III, M.D.

• The Pituitary Adenoma Index: Comprehensive Internet links to information about pituitary tumors.
• The Radiosurgery Index: Comprehensive Internet links to information about stereotactic radiosurgery.
• Gamma Knife Center