The Pituitary Center of Seoul National University Hospital is a specialized treatment center in Seoul National University Hospital established to provide rapid diagnosis and optimum treatment of pituitary tumors and diseases around the pituitary gland. Seoul National University Hospital Pituitary Center is a multidisciplinary medical center that provides a one-stop service for patients with pituitary tumors and related diseases, so that they can receive same-day treatments at Endocrinology, Ophthalmology, Radiology, Otorhinolaryngology, Neurosurgery, Neuropathology, Radiation Oncology, and Gamma Knife Center.
Through the multidisciplinary treatment center, we provide drug treatment and surgery that are optimized according to the individual situation of the patient, along with rapid and accurate diagnosis. As well, we support objective and accurate clinical follow-up through multidisciplinary treatment, with the same one-stop service for outpatient care after drug treatment and surgery. Since the multidisciplinary treatment is carried out based on the one-stop service schedule after surgery, patients can receive continuous disease management. In addition, we are working to help patients and caregivers acquire accurate understanding and management methods for diseases.
Multidisciplinary Treatment System with One-stop Visit for Quick and Accurate Identification of Patient Status
Tumors that occur in the pituitary gland, which regulates the body’s hormones, include a variety of tumors, such as craniopharyngioma, meningioma, chondroma, Laske’s cyst, embryocytoma, metastatic brain tumor, paranasal sinus mucocele, olfactory neuroblastoma, and sinonasal tumor, as well as pituitary adenoma, a benign tumor. The Pituitary Gland Center at Seoul National University Hospital carries out all of the processes of accurate diagnosis of disease, accurate evaluation of the effectiveness of drug treatment, surgical treatment and radiosurgery, and determination of an appropriate treatment policy based on the two factors mentioned above, quickly and accurately through one-stop visit and multidisciplinary treatment.
Quick and Safe Tumor Removal by Endoscopic Surgery through Collaboration between Otolaryngology and Neurosurgery
The medical staff at the Endoscopic Surgery Center in the Pituitary Gland Center of Seoul National University Hospital is made up of experienced neurosurgeons and otolaryngologists who perform the highest endoscopic cranial base surgery through close collaboration. As a team, surgery is performed together, and outpatient treatment is also operated through a one-stop treatment system to increase patient satisfaction. The Endoscopic Surgery Center is equipped with a state-of-the-art navigation system, a brain navigation device, an ultrasound imaging device, and advanced brain endoscopic surgery equipment that accurately identifies the tumor’s location in 3D for brain tumor surgery treatment.
State-of-the-art radiosurgery using Gamma Knife and True Beam LINAC
For cases in which it is difficult to treat tumors in the pituitary gland and its surrounding areas due to a lack of surgical access, or when it is necessary to remove remaining tumors after surgery, state-of-the-art radiosurgery equipment such as Gamma Knife Perfection and True Beam LINAC are available. Our experienced Radiation Oncology and Neurosurgery staff provide the best treatment.
International Symposium on Endoscopy through Cooperation with Thomas Jefferson Hospital in the U.S. and Joint Research of Multidisciplinary Studies
The Endoscopy Center in the Pituitary Gland Center of Seoul National University Hospital is working to establish a system of close cooperation with Thomas Jefferson University Hospital Minimally Invasive Cranial Base Surgery & Endoscopic Neurosurgery Center, which is renowned for its excellence and recognized as the best institution in the United States for providing world-class state-of-the-art treatment.
To share the latest knowledge of endoscopic cranial base surgery, which has been rapidly developing in recent years, we hold an endoscopic cranial base surgery workshop and symposium every year alternately in Seoul and Philadelphia together with the Minimally Invasive Cranial Base Surgery & Endoscopic Neurosurgery Center at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. (first symposium held in Seoul September 2012, Second Symposium held in Philadelphia September 2013, Third Symposium held in Seoul April 2015, see website for more details)
Establishment of a website for patients and caregivers and holding of briefing sessions
The Seoul National University Hospital Pituitary Gland Center provides accurate and useful information to patients and their caregivers about tumors and diseases of the pituitary gland and its surrounding area, drug treatment, and surgical treatment through the website and briefing sessions.