Hypophysectomy
Encyclopedia
Hypophysectomy is the surgical removal of the hypophysis
(pituitary gland). It is most commonly performed to treat tumors, especially craniopharyngioma
tumors. Sometimes it is used to treat Cushing's syndrome
due to pituitary adenoma
. It is also applied in neuroscience
s (in experiments with lab animals) to understand the functioning of hypophysis.
Medications that are given as hormone replacement therapy
following a complete hypophysectomy (removal of the pituitary gland) are often glucocorticoids. Addisons can occur and hyperlipidemia with affect all organs in the body.
and adrenal gland
s as well as asthenia and cachexia
. When the procedure is performed before sexual maturity, the reproductive tract remains undeveloped and non-functional. There is also a general lack of growth. If performed after sexual maturity, there will be a loss of reproductive function along with atrophy of gonads and accessory reproductive structures.
Pituitary gland
In vertebrate anatomy the pituitary gland, or hypophysis, is an endocrine gland about the size of a pea and weighing 0.5 g , in humans. It is a protrusion off the bottom of the hypothalamus at the base of the brain, and rests in a small, bony cavity covered by a dural fold...
(pituitary gland). It is most commonly performed to treat tumors, especially craniopharyngioma
Craniopharyngioma
Craniopharyngioma is a type of brain tumor derived from pituitary gland embryonic tissue, that occurs most commonly in children but also in men and women in their 50s and 60s....
tumors. Sometimes it is used to treat Cushing's syndrome
Cushing's syndrome
Cushing's syndrome is a hormone disorder caused by high levels of cortisol in the blood. This can be caused by taking glucocorticoid drugs, or by tumors that produce cortisol or adrenocorticotropic hormone or CRH...
due to pituitary adenoma
Pituitary adenoma
Pituitary adenomas are tumors that occur in the pituitary gland, and account for about 15% of intracranial neoplasms. Tumors which exceed 10 mm in size are defined as macroadenomas, and those smaller than 10 mm are referred to as microadenomas...
. It is also applied in neuroscience
Neuroscience
Neuroscience is the scientific study of the nervous system. Traditionally, neuroscience has been seen as a branch of biology. However, it is currently an interdisciplinary science that collaborates with other fields such as chemistry, computer science, engineering, linguistics, mathematics,...
s (in experiments with lab animals) to understand the functioning of hypophysis.
Medications that are given as hormone replacement therapy
Hormone replacement therapy
Hormone replacement therapy may refer to:*Hormone replacement therapy *Hormone replacement therapy *Hormone replacement therapy *Androgen replacement therapy -See also:...
following a complete hypophysectomy (removal of the pituitary gland) are often glucocorticoids. Addisons can occur and hyperlipidemia with affect all organs in the body.
Complications
Hypophysectomy performed at any age causes atrophy of the thyroidThyroid
The thyroid gland or simply, the thyroid , in vertebrate anatomy, is one of the largest endocrine glands. The thyroid gland is found in the neck, below the thyroid cartilage...
and adrenal gland
Adrenal gland
In mammals, the adrenal glands are endocrine glands that sit atop the kidneys; in humans, the right suprarenal gland is triangular shaped, while the left suprarenal gland is semilunar shaped...
s as well as asthenia and cachexia
Cachexia
Cachexia or wasting syndrome is loss of weight, muscle atrophy, fatigue, weakness, and significant loss of appetite in someone who is not actively trying to lose weight...
. When the procedure is performed before sexual maturity, the reproductive tract remains undeveloped and non-functional. There is also a general lack of growth. If performed after sexual maturity, there will be a loss of reproductive function along with atrophy of gonads and accessory reproductive structures.