Pituitary Disorders Throughout The Life Cycle

The pituitary gland is often referred to as the master gland, coordinating hormonal signals from the hypothalamus and peripheral circulation to maintain homeostasis in the body. Patients with pituitary dysfunction are faced with challenges unique to each stage of their life cycle. For example, the goals of management for a hypopituitary adolescent transitioning to adulthood would be to optimize growth and sexual development. In early adulthood, approaches that optimize of fertility in men and women can be a priority, and the management approach will be very different from that of older adults requiring sex hormone replacement. This case-based guide will provide practical clinical guidance on approaches to the management of pituitary disorders organized by time of life, from childhood and fertile years through to older age. Sensibly divided into sections, various pituitary disorders and conditions are described and relevant treatment strategies are outlined. Sections included discussions of the unique considerations for the pituitary gland in childhood and adolescents, patients desiring fertility and pregnant patients, health optimization and non-tumoral diagnoses in adults, and management of disorders of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis in the elderly. Each chapter presents a clinical case vignette as an introduction to the concepts and a framework for the discussion of the diagnosis, management and unique consideration of each pituitary pathology. Practical and user-friendly, Pituitary Disorders throughout the Life Cycle is an excellent resource for practicing clinical endocrinologists (pediatric, transitional care, adult) and reproductive endocrinologists as well as specialty residents and trainees.

Gigantism and Acromegaly brings together pituitary experts, taking readers from bench research, to genetic analysis, clinical analysis, and new therapeutic approaches. This book serves as a reference for growth hormone over-secretion and its diagnosis and treatment for endocrinologists, pediatricians, internists, and neurosurgeons, and for geneticists. Pharmaceutical companies may use it as a reference for drug development and research. Students, residents and fellows in medicine and endocrinology and genetics will also find it valuable as it provides a single up-to-date review of the molecular biology of gigantism and acromegaly as well as recommended approaches to evaluation and management. Acromegaly is a rare pituitary disorder that slowly changes its adult victim’s appearance over time: larger hands and feet, bigger jaw, forehead, nose, and lips. Generally, a benign pituitary tumor is the cause and symptoms of acromegaly can vary from patient to patient, making a diagnosis difficult and prolonging suffering for years. Early detection is key in the management of acromegaly as the pathologic effects of increased growth hormone (GH) production are progressive and can be life-threatening as the result of associated cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and respiratory disorders and malignancies. Accessible, up-to-date overview of the characteristics, state-of-the-art diagnostic procedures, and management of acromegaly and gigantism Provides a unique compendium of endocrinology, genetics, clinical diagnosis and therapeutics Contains contributions from internationally known experts who have treated patients with acromegaly and gigantism

Do you want to be up to date on the latest concepts of diagnosis and treatment of patients suffering from disorders of the pituitary gland? Are you looking for an expert guide to the best clinical management? If so, this is the book for you, providing a full analysis of pituitary disorder management from acromegaly to Addison's Disease; from Cushing's Disease to hypopituitarism; from hormone disorders to hormone replacement. Well-illustrated throughout, and with contributions from leading specialists in pituitary disease, inside you'll find comprehensive and expert coverage, including: Diagnosing pituitary disease Management options for each disorder Complications that can occur Psychological and psychosocial effects of pituitary disease What outcomes you and your patients can expect over the long term Current research and clinical trials related to pituitary disease Pituitary Disorders: Diagnosis and Management is the perfect clinical tool for physicians and health care providers from many related disciplines, and an essential companion for the best quality management of pituitary patients.

Currently, surgical management provides the definitive treatment of choice for most pituitary adenomas, craniopharyngiomas and meningiomas of the sellar region. The elegant minimally invasive transnasal endoscopic approach to the sella turcica and the anterior skull base has added a new dimension of versatility to pituitary surgery and can be adapted to many lesions in the region. In this multi-author book with numerous color illustrations the main aspects of the endonasal endoscopic approach to the skull base are presented, starting with a clear description of the endoscopic anatomy, the panoramic view afforded by the endoscope and the development of effective instruments and adjuncts. After the diagnostic studies, the strictly surgical features are considered in detail. The standard technique is described and particular aspects are treated, including the new extended approaches to the cavernous sinus, spheno-ethmoid planum and clival regions.

It has been known for over 40 years that GH-deficient-children benefit from replacement with the hormone. But GH, essential for longitudinal growth, also plays a role after completion of final height. With the introduction of biosynthetic human GH 20 years ago, the use of GH was no longer restricted to severe growth retardation in hypopituitary children. This book will take the reader behind the myths of GH and into the real world of clinical endocrinology. The contributions stem from recognized clinicians and scientists who have been working in the field for decades. The contents encompass traditional end points of GH therapy such as body composition, bone biology and physical performance. Attention is also devoted to diagnostic aspects and side effects. Additional features range from clinical epidemiology to quality of life, and novel areas such as the impact of traumatic brain injury on pituitary function are also covered. The present volume of Frontiers of Hormone Research is essential reading for health care professionals interested in clinical endocrinology and GH.

The pituitary, albeit a small gland, is known as the "master gland" of the endocrine system and contributes to a wide spectrum of disorders, diseases, and syndromes. Since the publication of the second edition of The Pituitary, in 2002, there have been major advances in the molecular biology research of pituitary hormone production and action and there is now a better understanding of the pathogenesis of pituitary tumors and clinical syndromes resulting in perturbation of pituitary function. There have also been major advances in the clinical management of pituitary disorders. Medical researchers and practitioners now better understand the morbidity and mortality associated with pituitary hormone hyposecretion and hypersecretion. Newly developed drugs, and improved methods of delivering established drugs, are allowing better medical management of acromegaly and prolactinoma. These developments have improved the worldwide consensus around the definition of a "cure" for pituitary disease, especially hormone hypersecretion, and hence will improve the success or lack of success of various forms of therapy. It is therefore time for a new edition of The Pituitary. The third edition will continue to be divided into sections that summarize normal hypothalamic-pituitary development and function, hypothalamic-pituitary failure, and pituitary tumors; additional sections will describe pituitary disease in systemic disorders and diagnostic procedures, including imaging, assessment of the eyes, and biochemical testing. The first chapter will be completely new – placing a much greater emphasis on physiology and pathogenesis. Two new chapters will be added on the Radiation and Non-surgical Management of the Pituitary and Other Pituitary Lesions. Other chapters will be completely updated and many new author teams will be invited. The second edition published in 2002 and there have been incredible changes in both the research and clinical aspects of the pituitary over the past 8 years – from new advances in growth hormones to pituitary tumor therapy. Presents a comprehensive, translational source of information about the pituitary in one reference work Pituitary experts (from all areas of research and practice) take readers from the bench research (cellular and molecular mechanism), through genomic and proteomic analysis, all the way to clinical analysis (histopathology and imaging) and new therapeutic approaches Clear presentation by endocrine researchers of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying pituitary hormones and growth factors as well as new techniques used in detecting lesions (within the organ) and other systemic disorders Clear presentation by endocrinologists and neuroendocrine surgeons of how imaging, assessment of the eyes, and biochemical testing can lead to new therapeutic approaches

This book analyzes in detail all aspects related to endocrine and metabolic late effects observed in patients treated for cancer, both in childhood and adulthood. The chapters focusing on the possible pathogenic mechanisms of late effects (i.e., premature aging and chronic inflammation) and on bone health in cancer survivors are particularly interesting and innovative. The volume also deals with hypothalamic-pituitary, thyroid and gonadal disorders, including infertility and how to prevent it. Finally, the relationship between metabolic alterations and cardiovascular diseases in cancer survivors is addressed. Thanks to advances in cancer treatment and supportive care, the five-year survival rate of cancer patients is constantly increasing. However, this undisputable success of medicine has a flip side: the late adverse effects of anticancer therapies. Pediatric oncologists were the first to cope with late complications of treatments, but today also adult oncologists and onco-hematologists recognize the relevance of this issue. Even though late effects observed in cancer survivors can affect any organ or system, endocrine and metabolic dysfunctions are the most frequently reported. Endocrine complications rarely influence life expectancy of cancer survivors, but they can significantly impact morbidity and quality of life. Among endocrine adverse effects, severe hypothalamic damage may be considered the most harmful in survivors, leading to morbid obesity, propensity to metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. This book aims to disseminate the knowledge about endocrine and metabolic adverse effects of cancer therapies and about survivorship care. Since the number of cancer survivors is steadily growing in the general population, this publication is intended not only for endocrinologists but also for oncologists, onco-hematologists, internists, pediatric specialists in those areas and general practitioners, with the aim to better counsel and monitor cancer survivors.