Treatment of pituitary carcinomas

Pituitary carcinomas are rare tumors that have already spread to other parts of the body when they are found. Surgery and radiation therapy are the main forms of treatment and may slow tumor growth and prevent or relieve symptoms. But in general, these tumors are very hard to treat effectively. Chemotherapy and newer targeted therapy drugs may be tried, but it’s not clear if these treatments can improve survival. Because pituitary carcinoma affects so few patients, it is hard to study which treatments might be effective. Taking part in a clinical trial of a new treatment may be a good option.