Brain Tumors

USC University Hospital Institute for Pituitary Tumors

The Institute is comprised of an experienced team of physicians focused upon the treatment and evaluation of patients harboring pituitary tumors and related disorders that effect the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. The Director of the program, Dr. Martin H. Weiss, Professor & Chairman of the Department of Neurosurgery, brings a personal experience with over 2000 operated pituitary tumors, the largest experience with the surgical treatment of pituitary tumors in the southwestern United States.

The team consists of neuroendocrinologists, neuroradiologists, neuropathologists, 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. 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 the understanding of the causes of and potential treatment strategies for pituitary tumors.

The following comprise the most common pituitary and related tumors seen at the Institute 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:

Cellular Localization of Tumor Hormones (Drs. Weiss, Hinton, Kovacs & Melmed)

Recombinant DNA Growth Hormone Replacement for GH Deficient Patients (Drs. Singer, Mestman, Weiss & Melmed)

Labeling Index Relation to Tumor Invasiveness (Drs. Hinton & Weiss)

High Resolution Imaging Assessment of Tumor Invasiveness (Drs. Zee & Segall)

Long Term Recurrence Rates and Indications for Radiotherapy (Drs. Weiss, Apuzzo, Petrovich & Hinton)

Post Operative Evaluation of Hormonal Cure (Drs. Weiss, Singer & Mestman)

Consultation and Treatment:

Patients with newly diagnosed or previously treated tumors is readily available through the USC Healthcare Consultation Center:

USC Healthcare Consultation Center
1510 San Pablo Street
Los Angeles, CA 90033

Appointments may be made by calling:
(323) 442-5720
or
1-800-USC CARE