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Pituitary Care Center

Pituitary Care Center

The pituitary gland, a pea-sized organ at the brain's base behind the eyes, is known as the "master gland" due to its role in regulating other endocrine glands and bodily functions. Given its critical functions, disorders of the pituitary can be complex and challenging to diagnose and treat.

The Stony Brook Pituitary Care Center offers personalized, coordinated care for a range of pituitary disorders, including benign tumors that can cause vision problems and hormonal imbalances.

Under the direction of Igor Kravets, MD, an endocrinologist, and Raphael Davis, MD, a neurosurgeon, our team includes experts from endocrinology, neurosurgery, otolaryngology, radiation oncology, neuropathology, neuroradiology, neuro-ophthalmology and patient support.

As the only center in Suffolk County offering a multidisciplinary approach to pituitary care, we provide the support you need in one location, streamlining your treatment journey.

Igor Kravets, MD

Igor Kravets, MD

Endocrinology

Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine

Photo of Raphael Davis, MD

Raphael P Davis, MD

Neurosurgery

Co-Director, Neurosciences Institute Chair, Department of Neurosurgery

Conditions We Treat

At the Stony Brook Pituitary Care Center, we specialize in diagnosing and managing a wide range of pituitary-related disorders. Our expertise covers both common and complex pituitary conditions, including:

  • Adenomas: Noncancerous (benign) tumors that develop in the pituitary gland.
  • Craniopharyngiomas: Non-cancerous tumors that develop in a part of the brain called Rathke’s pouch, which is at the base of the brain above the pituitary gland. These tumors usually consist of a mix of calcium deposits and pockets of fluid called cysts.
  • Rathke’s Cleft Cysts: These are not tumors, but rather non-cancerous, closed pockets of fluid that develop at the base of the brain and grow as fluid collects inside, pushing on surrounding structures.
  • Acromegaly: A condition caused by a pituitary tumor’s excessive production of growth hormone, resulting in excessive growth of the hands, feet, forehead, and jaw, and leading to many complications, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea.
  • Cushing’s Disease: A condition caused by a pituitary tumor’s excessive production of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which, in turn, triggers excessive production of cortisol, a stress hormone made by the adrenal glands. Cushing’s disease typically manifests as weight gain, easy bruising, a round and reddish face, a fat pad on the back of the neck, high blood pressure and wide, pink stretch marks on the abdomen.
  • Hyperprolactinemia: A condition caused by high levels of prolactin in the blood. Prolactin is a pituitary hormone that regulates breast milk production in pregnant and nursing women. Men’s pituitaries also secrete prolactin; however, the role of this hormone in men is unclear. Causes of high prolactin levels include excessive production of the hormone by a pituitary tumor, compression of the pituitary stalk by a large pituitary tumor, and other conditions. In men, high prolactin levels can lead to erectile dysfunction. In women, this condition may cause irregular or absent periods, as well as secretion of breast milk despite not recently giving birth.

When to Seek Help for Pituitary Tumors

Pituitary tumors are abnormal growths in the pituitary gland. Although most are benign, they can cause problems if they press on surrounding structures including the optic chiasm, affecting vision. These tumors can also disrupt hormonal balance.

The exact cause of pituitary tumors is not entirely known. Only about 1 to 5 percent of pituitary tumors are hereditary, with conditions like multiple endocrine neoplasia Type 1 (MEN1) increasing the risk. Symptoms of pituitary tumors vary depending on the tumor's type and size. Common symptoms can include:

  • Vision changes (especially peripheral vision loss)
  • Headaches

Other symptoms of pituitary tumors related to either deficiency or excessive production of certain hormones can include:

  • Irregular or absent menstrual cycles
  • Erectile dysfunction and loss of sex drive
  • Weight changes
  • Production of breast milk by a woman who has not given birth
  • Accelerated or stunted growth in a child or teenager
  • Growth of the hands, feet, forehead and jaw in adults
  • Development of a round face, a hump between the shoulders or both

Diagnosis of a pituitary tumor or another pituitary condition involves a review of symptoms, personal and family history, physical examination, blood and urine tests, and imaging studies (MRI or CT scans). In rare cases, a biopsy may also be needed.

For tumors requiring surgery, the Stony Brook Pituitary Care Center utilizes minimally invasive techniques through the nose (transsphenoidal surgery) to achieve optimal results. Other treatments may include radiation therapy or medication. Radiation therapy is used to destroy tumor cells and is recommended if surgery is not feasible, if the tumor cannot be fully removed, or if symptoms persist despite medication.

For help diagnosing a pituitary condition, we encourage you to make an appointment with our team:

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