The surgical removal or destruction (by means of a radioactive implant) of the pituitary gland.
This may be performed to remove pituitary tumours or to treat some cancers of the breast, ovary, or prostate gland, the growth of which is stimulated by hormones secreted by the pituitary gland.
Surgical excision of the PITUITARY GLAND. This can be done by opening the skull, by inserting very low-temperature needles (CRYOSURGERY) into the gland, or by inserting needles of radioactive YTTRIUM-90.
n. the surgical removal or destruction of the pituitary gland (hypophysis) in the brain. The operation may be conducted by opening the skull or by the insertion of special needles that produce a very low temperature (see cryosurgery). Radiotherapy (e.g. by insertion of needles of *yttrium-90) can also be used to destroy parts of the pituitary.
Health Encyclopedia