Many pituitary adenomas can be completely removed with surgery. This usually results in a cure.

The most common surgical procedure is called, trans sphenoid hypophysectomy. The pituitary gland is directly behind the sphenoid sinus. The surgeon accesses the pituitary through the nose and sphenoid sinus, in order to perform the surgery.

In some cases, the surgeon accesses the pituitary through the forehead, in order to perform the surgery.

Complications of surgery for a pituitary adenoma may include:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Loss of every pituitary hormone is called panhypopituitarism
• Nerve damage
• Stroke