Informing that the incidence of pituitary diseases has increased, Endocrinology Specialist Prof. Dr. Fahrettin Keleştemur said, “According to clinical and autopsy studies, a pituitary tumor is found in approximately one out of every 1000 people. I can say that pituitary tumors and other pituitary diseases are not very rare diseases.”

Explaining that the newly established Pituitary Clinic will serve not only patients but also physicians, Yeditepe University Hospitals Medical Coordinator and Endocrinology Specialist Prof. Dr. Fahrettin Keleştemur stated, “Every week, we will hold multidisciplinary meetings where all aspects of pituitary diseases and pituitary tumors are evaluated. We aim to contribute scientifically. Physicians who wish can attend these group meetings with the cases they want to be discussed. We will also organize Pituitary Patient Days in order to inform society and raise awareness.”

The Purpose is to Avoid Waste of Time with the Right Treatment

Stating that pituitary patients can apply to the doctor for many different reasons, Prof. Dr. Fahrettin Keleştemur said, “Patients may have different complaints such as headaches that do not improve, fatigue, getting tired quickly, excessive stature or short stature, visual disturbances, infertility, excessive weight gain and inability to lose weight, milk coming out of the nipples spontaneously or by squeezing, menstrual irregularities and hair growth in women. Only some of these patients come directly to the endocrinologist. Pituitary tumors are not uncommon and can be detected incidentally by a radiologist. Delays in treatment can lead to irreparable problems. For example, delayed treatment can result in vision loss.”

Noting that it is not always easy to determine when the disease started, Prof. Dr. Keleştemur said, “It should not be forgotten that for pituitary patients, as in all patients, early diagnosis and treatment is extremely important. After identifying the disease, a treatment plan is quickly created in light of the information obtained. For example, in the case of hormone deficiency, the missing hormones are replaced. If the hormone is secreted excessively, drug therapy or surgical treatment is recommended.”

It Requires a Multidisciplinary Approach

Pointing out the importance of surgery in the treatment of pituitary diseases, Yeditepe University Endocrinology Specialist Prof. Dr. Fahrettin Keleştemur explained, “We benefit from the possibilities of current technology for patients who require surgical treatment. It is possible to take an MRI of the patient during the surgery. This gives surgeons a great advantage. During the surgery, it can be determined whether any tumor tissue is left behind. However, the presence of experienced pathologists and radiologists who are specialized in pituitary diseases in the Pituitary Clinic is also important in order to accurately determine the structure and location of the tumor.”

Specialized Team

Saying, “If you want to be very successful in a subject, you need an infrastructure in which endocrinologists, neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists, neuropathologists, neuro-ophthalmologists, and radiation oncologists, who are directly specialized in pituitary diseases and are experienced in this field, work together”, Yeditepe University Hospital Endocrinology Specialist Prof. Dr. Keleştemur continued his words as follows:

“In addition to early diagnosis and treatment in pituitary diseases, long-term follow-up of patients is also very important. Unnecessary radiological examinations and investigations should be avoided. Pituitary Clinic will also work in cooperation with international centers.”

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