Pituitary Tumor and Disorder Treatment and Survival Rate

January 8, 2026

This page was reviewed under our medical and editorial policy by Behrouz Salehian M.D., clinical professor, Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology & Metabolism, City of Hope^® Cancer Center Duarte.

When a pituitary tumor or disorder is diagnosed, the care team will design a treatment plan that’s personalized to the patient’s needs. They’ll consider several factors — including the type of tumor, its size, location and the symptoms the patient is experiencing — to recommend the optimal approach.

Pituitary Tumor Treatment

Common treatment options for pituitary tumors include watchful waiting, surgery, drug therapy and radiation therapy. Most people need only one or a combination of these treatments, and outcomes are generally very positive. If surgery is needed, the care team will meet with the patient to discuss side effects, benefits and risks.

Pituitary Tumor Surgery

Surgery is the primary treatment for most pituitary tumors, especially if the tumor is pressing on the optic nerves and affecting vision or making too many hormones. Using a minimally invasive technique, most pituitary tumors can be removed through the bottom of the nose, the skull or under the upper lip. This surgical approach is called transsphenoidal surgery.

Pituitary Adenoma Treatment

If a patient’s pituitary adenoma leads to an imbalance in his or her hormone levels, the care team may recommend performing surgery to remove the adenoma. Most commonly, transsphenoidal surgery is used. If surgery isn’t recommended, treatments include medications or radiation therapy to reduce the adenoma’s size.

Pituitary Cyst Treatment

Most pituitary cysts are small and don’t cause problems, so doctors often just monitor them with regular scans. If a cyst grows and causes headaches, vision issues or hormone changes, surgery through the nose may be needed. In some cases, patients may also take medicines (drug therapy) to balance hormones.

Pituitary Disorder Treatment

Many pituitary disorders may be treated with medication, depending on the patient’s symptoms and other conditions. The best treatment plan will be developed with the patient’s specific disorder in mind.

Acromegaly Treatment

Treatment for acromegaly focuses on reducing growth hormone (GH) levels and easing symptoms. Most patients begin with surgery to remove the pituitary tumor. If needed, medications or radiation therapy can help control hormone levels.

Cushing Syndrome Treatment

For Cushing syndrome, treatment aims to lower excess cortisol and ease symptoms. If a tumor is causing the problem, typically surgery comes first. Medications or radiation therapy may be used if surgery isn’t possible or doesn’t control cortisol.

Prolactinoma Treatment

Prolactinomas are prolactin-secreting pituitary tumors. These are the only pituitary tumors that are largely treated with medications that lower prolactin levels and shrink the tumor. In cases where medications aren’t effective or the tumor is causing vision problems, surgery may be needed.

Diabetes Insipidus Treatment

The goal of diabetes insipidus treatment is to manage symptoms and keep the body’s water balance normal. Most people take medication to replace the missing hormone or help the kidneys hold water. Doctors also recommend lifestyle changes, like drinking enough fluids and monitoring salt intake.

Empty Sella Syndrome Treatment

Many people with empty sella syndrome don’t need treatment if they have no symptoms, but if hormone levels are affected, medications can replace or balance hormones.

Hypopituitarism Treatment

For hypopituitarism, treatment involves replacing the hormones the body isn’t making — usually drugs to restore hormone balance.

Lymphocytic Hypophysitis Treatment

Lymphocytic hypophysitis treatment is based on symptoms and hormone changes. If symptoms are mild, some people only need monitoring. Medications can replace hormones, and in certain cases, surgery may relieve pressure from the pituitary gland.

Sheehan Syndrome Treatment

Sheehan syndrome is treated like other forms of hypopituitarism — with hormone replacement therapy (hydrocortisone, thyroxine, estrogen, progesterone and/or growth hormone if needed). The care team will check the patient’s hormone levels and decide which ones need to be replaced, since this can vary for each person.

Who Treats Pituitary Tumors and Disorders?

Pituitary tumors and disorders are usually treated by a team of specialists working together. Depending on the patient’s needs, this may include:

• Endocrinologists, who specialize in hormones and gland disorders.
• Neurosurgeons, who operate on the brain and pituitary gland.
• Radiation oncologists, who use targeted radiation to destroy cancerous tissue.
• Medical oncologists, who treat pituitary cancer with drugs such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy or targeted therapy.
• Otolaryngologists (ENT, ENT surgeon), who treat ear, nose and throat conditions.
• Neuroradiologists, who help diagnose and track pituitary tumors with advanced imaging techniques.
• Ophthalmologists, eye specialists who check for vision problems caused by pituitary tumors.
• Supportive care providers, who focus on cancer- and treatment-related side effects and symptom management.

This multidisciplinary expertise and collaboration help ensure patients get the safest and most effective treatment plan.

Pituitary Disorder Survival Rate

It’s important to understand that each patient’s outlook can be different. Individual factors like the kind of tumor, how it grows, the treatment options available and the patient’s overall health all play a role.

Overall, the outlook for people with pituitary tumors is very encouraging. Most of these tumors are noncancerous (benign adenomas), which is why survival rates are so high. On average, about 97 out of 100 people diagnosed with a pituitary tumor — benign and cancerous — live at least five years after their diagnosis, compared to people without that condition. In other words, the five-year relative survival rate for all pituitary tumors is similar to the general population. Even 10 years out, the vast majority of people with pituitary adenomas continue to live many years beyond their diagnosis.

Cancerous pituitary tumors are rare. They can be harder to treat, but the right care can still help manage the disease and improve survival.

Pituitary tumor survival rate: Pituitary tumors have a five-year relative survival rate of 97.1%

Pituitary adenoma survival rate: Most people with pituitary adenomas have the same lifespan of people without these tumors.

Pituitary disorder survival rate: People with pituitary disorders may live just as long as those without a pituitary disorder, as long as they follow their recommended treatment plan.

It’s important to talk to the care team about prognosis, since this depends on the patient’s overall health, specific diagnosis and care goals.