Staging
Staging is a process that tells a doctor if the cancer has spread, and if it has, how far. There is no established staging system for pituitary tumors, since they are usually benign and pituitary carcinomas are very rare. Doctors may use the following prognostic factors to determine the extent of the disease and the best treatment options.
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- Whether the tumor is a microadenoma (less than 1 cm in diameter) or macroadenoma (diameter of 1 cm or greater).
- Whether the tumor is functioning or non-functioning.
- Which hormones are affected.
- Whether it has invaded any nearby structures such as the bone at the base of the skull or the brain.
