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The Neuroendocrine and Pituitary Program at Tufts Medical Center delivers world-class diagnostic and treatment options for patients with hypothalamic, suprasellar and pituitary disorders, including pituitary adenomas.
Patients will be seen by our specialists within two weeks of calling to schedule an appointment. Patients can be seen by both the endocrinologist and the surgeon on the same day (Monday). Being able to see both of our specialists on one day means that treatment plans can be made immediately. It also saves our patients from making multiple trips to our Boston campus.
What We Treat
Our team specializes in diagnosing and treating a wide range of neuroendocrine disorders, including:
- Prolactinomas
- Cushing’s disease
- Acromegaly
- Thyrotoph adenomas
- Nonfunctioning pituitary tumors
- Recurrent pituitary adenomas
- Pituitary apoplexy
- Suprasellar tumors
- Craniopharyngioma
- Rathke’s cleft cysts
- Hypopituitarism
- Diabetes insipidus
- Hypophysitis
- Neurosarcoidosis
- Langerhans cell histiocytosis
- Lymphoma and metastatic disease involving the hypothalamus
- Germinoma
Treatment Options
Because we are a strong multidisciplinary team, we are able to work together to create comprehensive and individualized treatment plans for each of our patients.
When a patient is referred to our clinic, we usually begin with a diagnostic evaluation that includes a detailed history and physical examination, laboratory tests to identify the chemical abnormalities and often a MRI. We use the facilities and state-of-the-art equipment in the recently renovated Neely Neuroscience Center at Tufts Medical Center for much of our diagnostic evaluations.
Occasionally, pituitary disorders may not require intensive medical or surgical treatments but instead, can be monitored through careful observation to ensure that they do not become larger problems.
At other times, these disorders may respond to medical therapy through hormone replacement or other medications, avoiding radiation or invasive surgery.
When surgery is required, Tufts Medical Center’s Neuroendocrine and Pituitary Program offers minimally invasive pituitary surgery, which is accomplished through endoscopic approaches and requires no facial incisions or nasal packing.
When pituitary tumors are surgically inaccessible or recurrent, conventional radiation therapy or Gamma Knife (stereotactic) radiosurgery can be used. Gamma Knife treatment uses radiation in a precise way that spares normal, healthy tissue while pinpointing targets with high doses of radiation. The Gamma Knife is an effective, non-invasive alternative to traditional brain surgery. Other radiation oncology services are also available through our Radiation Oncology Department.
Most patients with diseases affecting the pituitary gland require careful ophthalmic follow-up because of the proximity of the visual apparatus. The result of pituitary disease may be loss of peripheral vision, which may not always be apparent to the patient. Also, pituitary diseases (especially tumors in this area) can affect the ocular motor nerves causing double vision.
Our Team
Our multidisciplinary team of ophthalmologists, radiologists, physicians and surgeons work together to provide the best care possible to patients with neuroendocrine and pituitary diseases. Learn more about our team below:
Endocrinology
Dr. Ronald Lechan, MD, PhD
Chief, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Co-Director, Neuroendocrine and Pituitary Program
Mary Wenners, NP
Nurse Practitioner
Services:
- Diagnostic evaluation
- Medical management
Neurosurgery
Dr. Carl Heilman, MD
Chief, Division of Neurosurgery
Co-Director, Neuroendocrine and Pituitary Program
James Kryzanski, MD
Chief, Division of Epilepsy Surgery
Chief, Division of Neurovascular Surgery
Services:
- Surgical removal/resection of tumors
- Minimally invasive approaches to removing pituitary tumors
Neurointerventional Surgery
Adel M. Malek, MD, PhD
Chief, Neurovascular Surgery
Director, Cerebrovascular and Endovascular Division
Services:
- Petrosal sinus catheterization and sampling
Gamma Knife Center
Julian K. Wu, MD
Associate Chairman, Neurosurgery
Chief, Neurosurgical Oncology
Director, Neurosurgery Residency Training Program
Co-Director, Gamma Knife Center
John Mignano, MD
Clinical Director, Radiation Oncology
Co-Director, Gamma Knife Center
Paula Lucas, RN
Mark Rivard, PhD
Chris Melhus, PhD
Services:
- Stereotactic surgery
- Gamma Knife Radiosurgery
Ophthalmology
Thomas R. Hedges III, MD
Director, Neuro-Ophthalmology Service
Co-Director, Electrophysiology Service
Services:
- Visual field testing
- Monitoring of ocular motor function
- Optical coherence tomographic evaluation of optic nerve structure
Radiation Oncology
John Mignano, MD
Clinical Director, Radiation Oncology
Services:
- Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)
- Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT)
- Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery
Appointments and Referrals
Our team welcomes new patients for evaluations, consultations and treatment.
To make an appointment for your patient or yourself, please call 617-636-5860.
Our clinic is located within Tufts Medical Center:
Tufts Medical Center
800 Washington St.
Boston, MA 02111
Find directions to the Medical Center.
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