MGH Neuroendocrine and Pituitary Tumor Clinical Center

MGH

HMS


NEPTCC → The Neuroendocrine and Pituitary Tumor Clinical Center

The NEPTCC

  • NEPTCC Clinic
    Our clinic staff will welcome you.
  • NEPTCC Clinic
    Our nurses and nursing assistants will perform specialized testing.
  • NEPTCC Clinic
    Our neuroendocrinologists will provide expert pituitary care.
  • NEPTCC Clinic
    Our neuroendocrinologists will provide expert pituitary care.
  • NEPTCC Clinic
    Our neuroendocrinologists will provide expert pituitary care.
  • NEPTCC Clinic
    Our neuroendocrinologists will provide expert pituitary care.
  • Pituitary Surgery
    Our pituitary surgeon performs more than 150 pituitary surgeries a year.
  • Pituitary Surgery
    Our pituitary surgeon performs more than 150 pituitary surgeries a year.
  • Pituitary Surgery
    Our surgical staff will take great care of you.
  • Pituitary Surgery
    The intraoperative MRI provides the surgeon with images during surgery.
  • NEPTCC Clinic
    Our radiation oncologists will provide specialized radiation treatment.
  • Proton Beam Treatment
    We offer state-of-the-art proton beam radiation therapy.
  • Proton Beam Treatment
    We offer state-of-the-art proton beam radiation therapy.

Target Pituitary

→ About Us

The Neuroendocrine and Pituitary Tumor Clinical Center offers a multidisciplinary approach to patients with pituitary and hypothalamic disorders, including acromegaly, Cushing's disease, prolactinomas, and nonfunctioning pituitary tumors. We provide comprehensive, state-of-the-art diagnostic evaluations and individualized treatment plans formulated by a dedicated, coordinated team of neuroendocrinologists, pituitary neurosurgeons and specialized radiation oncologists.

Karen K. Miller, M.D., Director, Neuroendocrine and Pituitary Tumor Clinical Center

NEPTCC Services

  • The Neuroendocrine and Pituitary Tumor Clinical Center offers:

    • Detailed outpatient evaluations of all disorders affecting the hypothalamus and pituitary gland
    • Complete basal and dynamic hormone testing
    • Coordination of endocrine evaluations, radiological studies, visual field testing, and surgical and radiation therapy consultations.
    • A diagnostic and therapeutic plan formulated for each patient and provided to the referring physician
    • A weekly multidisciplinary case conference at which complex cases are presented
    • The opportunity to participate in clinical research designed to enhance the care of patients with pituitary disorders
    • Workshops for patients and families


    → Conditions and Treatments

  • The Neuroendocrine and Pituitary Tumor Clinical Center works with referring physicians to provide the following:

    • Consultative evaluations of patients with pituitary disorders
    • Complete basal and dynamic hormone testing
    • Coordination of endocrine evaluations, radiological studies, visual field testing, and surgical and radiation therapy consultations.
    • A diagnostic and therapeutic plan formulated for each patient and provided to the referring physician
    • A weekly multidisciplinary case conference at which complex cases are presented
    • A research program designed to enhance the care of patients with rare pituitary disorders
    • Medical education specifically in the area of pituitary disorders: educational presentations by our faculty, a Neuroendocrine Bulletin and postgraduate educational opportunities

    In response to continuing developments of new treatments for patients with pituitary disease, the Neuroendocrine and Pituitary Tumor Clinical Center offers an Information Service for Physicians. The purpose is to support physicians in the care of their patients by providing access to the most recent information and research regarding pituitary disease and its treatment.

    Physician Pituitary Information Service - Physicians with questions may contact:



    → Physicians

  • Clinical and Basic Research Studies -- We are actively recruiting participants for several research studies described on this site and we hope that you will consider participating. These studies are designed to advance our understanding of pituitary disorders and improve treatment for pituitary patients.

    • Patients may qualify for research studies in the Neuroendocrine and Pituitary Tumor Clinical Center. We are currently accepting patients for screening to determine study eligibility.
    • Depending on the study, subjects may receive free testing, medication and/or stipends.


    → Research Studies

  • Patient Education -- There is a wealth of information designed for patients about pituitary disease on this website, on the Pituitary Society website and in the Neuroendocrine and Pituitary Tumor Clinical Center Bulletins.

    Physician Education --

    • The MGH/Harvard Medical School postgraduate course Clinical Endocrinology is held annually in Boston and includes a full day on pituitary topics.
    • The Neuroendocrine and Pituitary Tumor Clinical Center Bulletin provides updates on pituitary disease topics.


    → Education

  • Meuroendocrine Center Bulletin

    → Newsletter Archive

  • Patients & Families with questions about referrals, consultations, 2nd opinions or appointments may contact:

    Special Instructions (If available, please bring):

    • Copies of your medical records/discharge summary/physician notes.
    • A copy of your MRI or CT on a CD.
    • A copy of your lab reports.
    • Bring any medications you are taking with you to your appointment.
    • Please make sure your MGB registration is accurate and up-to-date.

    Our clinic assistants will help you update your hospital registration and insurance information.



    Maps of MGH


    → Appointments

Team of Experienced Specialists

Target Pituitary

→ Our Team

The Neuroendocrine and Pituitary Tumor Clinical Center offers detailed outpatient evaluation of all disorders affecting the endocrine function of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, achieved through comprehensive office visits, complete basal and dynamic hormone testing, and coordination of radiological studies and visual field evaluations. Patients are presented at the weekly Neuroendocrine Clinical Conference which is attended by endocrinologists, neurosurgeons, neurologists, and radiation therapy physicians. A diagnostic and therapeutic plan is formulated for each patient and provided to the referring physician.

... read more ...

Treatment of Pituitary Disorders

NS Home

→ Pituitary Tumors

The pituitary gland secretes a number of hormones that control many of the endocrine functions of the body. It secretes prolactin, which stimulates mild production after pregnancy; ACTH (adrenocorticotrophic hormone) controls cortisol production by the adrenal glands; TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones; GH (growth hormone) is important for normal growth and bone development and for maintaining bone and muscle mass in adults.

Pituitary tumors can be either secretory (secreting excessive pituitary hormones) or non-functioning (non-secreting). Large tumors, whether secretory or non-functioning, can cause visual loss from pressure on the optic nerves or chiasm, headaches and/or hormone deficiencies from damage to the normal pituitary gland.

There are a number of syndromes associated with excess hormone secretion, including:
  • Acromegaly
  • Cushing's Disease
  • Prolactinoma
  • TSH Adenomas

There are also a number of tumors, cysts and other disorders in the pituitary gland area that do not secrete hormones but may need to be treated. These include:
  • Non-functioning pituitary adenomas
  • Pituitary cysts (Rathke cleft cysts, arachnoid cysts)
  • Craniopharyngiomas
  • Inflammatory disorders (sarcoid, lymphocytic hypophysitis and others)

Prolactinomas (excess prolactin secretion) can cause amenorrhea (loss of menstrual periods) and galactorrhea (breast milk production) in women, and low testosterone in men with loss of libido (sex drive) and erectile dysfunction. First line of treatment is usually medication.

... read more ...

Minimally Invasive Surgery

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→ Pituitary Surgery

When surgery is necessary, most pituitary tumors can be removed through a transsphenoidal approach. A small incision is made in the back of the nasal passage, into the patient's sphenoid sinus. The pituitary gland sits in a bony cavity called the "sella turcica" in the back wall of the sphenoid sinus. This minimally invasive technique, called transsphenoidal surgery, typically helps patient recover from surgery faster.

Our surgeons, specializing in minimally invasive transsphenoidal surgery, perform more than 150 transsphenoidal procedures per year.


... read more ...

Latest Research & Clinical Trials

Target Pituitary

→ Research Studies

Physicians at the Neuroendocrine and Pituitary Tumor Clinical Center conduct research and clinical trials, allowing us to bring our patients promising new treatments as quickly as possible.

Physicians at the Neuroendocrine and Pituitary Tumor Clinical Center at Massachusetts General Hospital are conducting several exciting research studies aimed at understanding and addressing medical issues related to pituitary disorders and learning more about the mechanisms of anorexia nervosa and applying novel treatments that will help improve future clinical treatments.

... read more ...

Multidisciplinary Team

→ Our Team

How You Can Help !!!

→ Help Us

The goal of MGH Neuroendocrine and Pituitary Tumor Clinical Center is to develop and implement innovative therapies that will benefit people with neuroendocrine and pituitary disorders.

Your support can make a critical difference in the development of such therapies.

How You Can Help