Adrenal & Pituitary Surgery
Adrenal and pituitary surgery removes tumors of the adrenal glands (above the kidneys) or the pituitary gland (at the base of the brain) that overproduce hormones, grow too large, or are suspicious for cancer. Often performed with minimally invasive techniques — keyhole adrenal surgery or surgery through the nose for the pituitary — it restores hormone balance and relieves pressure, guided by a combined endocrine and surgical team.
Medically reviewed by the Florence Healthcare medical team · Last reviewed June 2026
Overview
The adrenal and pituitary glands are central to the body's hormone system, and tumors of either can cause illness by overproducing hormones or by their size. Adrenal tumors may overproduce hormones that raise blood pressure, alter salt balance or cause other syndromes; pituitary tumors can disturb a wide range of hormones or, when large, press on the nearby optic nerves and affect vision. Surgery removes the tumor to correct these effects.
These operations are highly specialized. Most adrenal tumors are removed by keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery through small incisions, and most pituitary tumors are reached through the nose and sinuses (transsphenoidal surgery), avoiding any external incision and often using endoscopic guidance. Both approaches aim to remove the tumor precisely while protecting surrounding structures, and careful hormone management surrounds the surgery.
Because hormone effects are complex, care is planned jointly by endocrinologists and surgeons — and for the pituitary, neurosurgeons and ENT specialists. International patients receive a coordinator, a clear plan and a transparent cost estimate before travel, and our specialists can review imaging and hormone results remotely to confirm whether surgery is needed.
Who is a candidate?
- People with an adrenal tumor overproducing hormones (for example causing high blood pressure or other syndromes)
- Patients with a pituitary tumor disturbing hormones or, when large, affecting vision
- Those with an adrenal or pituitary mass that is large or suspicious for cancer
- People whose hormone excess is not controlled by medication alone
- Patients seeking expert assessment of whether surgery is the right option
What happens
- 1
Assessment and hormone testing
Imaging (CT or MRI) and detailed hormone tests confirm the tumor, what it is producing and its effects, so the right operation and preparation can be planned.
- 2
Preparation
Medication is often used beforehand to control hormone effects and make surgery safer. Your team explains the minimally invasive approach and the aftercare.
- 3
The operation
The adrenal tumor is usually removed by keyhole surgery through small incisions; the pituitary tumor is usually reached through the nose, often with endoscopic guidance, avoiding any external incision.
- 4
Early recovery and hormone monitoring
You are monitored closely, with hormone levels checked and replaced where needed, since removing a gland or tumor can change the body's hormone balance.
- 5
Follow-up
Hormone levels and, for the pituitary, vision are reviewed and any replacement fine-tuned. International patients receive a clear follow-up plan, with remote support after returning home.
Benefits
- Can correct hormone overproduction that causes high blood pressure and other syndromes
- Relieves pressure from a large pituitary tumor, protecting or improving vision
- Often performed with minimally invasive techniques — keyhole or through the nose
- Joint endocrine and surgical planning manages complex hormone effects safely
- Removes tissue that is suspicious for cancer for diagnosis and treatment
Risks & considerations
- Bleeding, infection and reaction to anesthesia, as with any surgery
- Changes in hormone levels that may need replacement, sometimes long-term
- For pituitary surgery, a temporary leak of brain fluid or effects on nearby structures, which the team manages
- Blood-pressure swings around adrenal surgery, which careful preparation reduces
- Occasionally, incomplete removal or the need for further treatment
Conditions this treats
Where it is performed
This procedure is delivered by our Robotic Surgery Center.
Learn more before you decide
Provider-reviewed guides on the related conditions, symptoms and tests in our Health Library.
Adrenal & Pituitary Surgery — frequently asked questions
They can overproduce hormones — raising blood pressure, altering salt balance or causing other syndromes — or, when large, cause problems by their size, such as a pituitary tumor pressing on the optic nerves and affecting vision.
Often, yes. Most adrenal tumors are removed by keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery, and most pituitary tumors are reached through the nose and sinuses without any external incision, frequently using endoscopic guidance. Your surgeon confirms the best approach for you.
Sometimes. Removing a gland or tumor can change your hormone balance, so some patients need hormone replacement, occasionally long-term, guided by blood tests. Your endocrine team monitors this closely and explains what to expect.
Yes. Share your CT or MRI and hormone test results and our specialists advise whether surgery is needed and what it would involve, before you commit to travel.
These operations usually mean around two to five nights in hospital, plus follow-up before flying — your coordinator confirms how long to plan for. We provide a transparent, itemized estimate after reviewing your case rather than a fixed online price.
Related treatments
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