Dear DoIglow, Thank you for answering my question, it is very kind of you. It is not easy to share one's experience when it was not entirely a happy one. I am touched by your generosity. I have posted here previously to say I had transphenoidal surgery (through lips) done in December 2002. Post-op MRI performed 6 months later showed quite a sizeable tumour (non-functioning) was still there. I was told by the neurosurgeon who operated on me that it was a rapid regrowth. Other neurosurgeons whom I visited for a second opinion could not be sure, they said it could be either a residue (unresected) or a regrowth. Cut long story short, two more MRIs were done in the past 1 1/2 yrs. Apparently the tumour shows no signs of changing in size and shape. I have to do yearly MRIs from now on to monitor it. I thank God for that. Of course I was wary and concerned with the possibility of the tumour growing again. My strategy for the moment is really hoping for the best (no growth) and preparing for the worst (if it starts to regrow, second operation immediately). I have discounted radiation for the while as the pituitary gland still functions normally after the first surgery, I am almost convinced that any known method of radiation will damage the pituitary and there is no guarantee that radiation will kill all the lesion or just kill the lesion and not the surrounding structure beside the tumour cells. Your experience on a crani is a good reference. It sounds traumatic I must say. It really is a big scar from what you have described. I suppose the eyebrow will hide much of it? I was told by my endo (not the surgeon!) that the surgeons would use a key hole method, opening at the corner at the eyebrow, next to the nose and go down there to the pituitary area. I suppose your tumour mass was sizeable enough so that they had to go for a larger opening. At any rate, it sounds like a successful surgery. I am sure your team of doctors will be able to mend things in short course. Well, for those of us who have to worry about a regrowth, we certainly read, ask and learn the stuff which concerns us most. The following are the things I gathered, not as facts, but as useful reference information:- (a) seldom can a macro pituitary tumour be completely resected without at the same time causing damage to the pituitary or neighbouring structures; hence for those who have detected a micro pit tumour, may be the better strategy is to deal with it surgically ealier than later (I am not a doctor, this is no medical advice); (b) the choice for the informed patient is really to go for the risk of getting the whole tumour out and damaging the pituitary or other structures, or to do a conservative surgery which restores the vision (reduce the size of the mass) and pituitary functions (reduce pressure on the pituitary gland); however your neurosurgeon will seldom ask for your decision, it tends to show the weakness of this operation process; so it's up to them at the time; (c) the conservative approach sounds reasonable, however, with pituitary tumour cells still there, the chances of regrowth are higher. Then one will have to face the choices of a second surgery (with additional risks and question of scarred tissues) or radiation (with all the known risks, including inducing cancer in later life)? (d) if radiation has to be considered especially when the regrowth is rapid, there is a range of choices which money can buy, Gamma Knife, multi-leafs, X-knife, proton-ray..... however....... (e) not many out there have tried a third surgery; chances are, with each surgery the pituitary gland is further damaged and its function reduced or decreased. So, in short it is a catch 22 situation for most of us with regrowth prospects when the call comes. We have to accept there is no perfect solution in our situation I guess we have to look at the larger picture, that is, we are still luckier than a lot of other people with other types of illness and complications. Best Regards, Oldmanfore | 