The Pituitary Tumor Center

Welcome to the UTHealth Houston Pituitary Tumor Center

At the UTHealth Houston Pituitary Tumor Center, we deliver state-of-the-art, multidisciplinary care for patients with pituitary and parasellar tumors. Our patient-centered model allows you to meet with your entire care team during your first visit—all under one roof.

This collaborative approach has earned us recognition as a Multidisciplinary Team of Distinction by the North American Skull Base Surgery Society.¹

Pituitary tumors may cause a wide range of disorders and present with a variety of symptoms, including hormonal changes, vision loss, and infertility, making an early and precise diagnosis essential to their treatment.

At the UTHealth Houston Pituitary Tumor Center, exceptional outcomes begin with an exceptional team. Studies show that patients achieve the best outcomes and experience fewer complications when they’re cared for by a multidisciplinary team that includes highly experienced surgeons and medical specialists.

The Pituitary Society has established consensus criteria for Pituitary Centers of Excellence, including a recommendation that surgeons perform at least 50 pituitary surgeries each year. At our center, our surgical team performs over 100 pituitary surgeries each year, making us one of the highest-volume pituitary tumor centers in the country.

Our Surgical Team:

• Dr. Spiros Blackburn and Dr. Jacques Morcos—Neurosurgery
• Dr. William Yao and Dr. Martin Citardi—Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)

These experts work side-by-side using a minimally invasive transsphenoidal endoscopic approach, which allows pituitary tumors to be removed through the nose—improving patient outcomes and minimizing recovery time.

Our dedicated neuroendocrinologist, Dr. Katie Guttenberg, specializes in the medical management of pituitary tumors, including those that lead to hormonal imbalances—either through hormone overproduction or deficiencies. She works closely with our surgical team to ensure patients receive comprehensive, personalized carefrom diagnosis to long-term follow-up.

Scope of Expertise

At the UTHealth Houston Pituitary Tumor Center, our team of highly experienced physicians treats a wide range of complex conditions, including:

Pituitary Tumors

• Cushing’s Disease
• Acromegaly
• Prolactinomas (Prolactin-Secreting Tumors)
• Nonfunctioning Pituitary Tumors

Pituitary Region Tumors

• Craniopharyngiomas
• Rathke Cleft Cysts
• Meningiomas
• Epidermoid Cysts
• Germ Cell Tumors
• Metastatic Tumors

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Patient Success Story:
Diagnosis & Treatment of Cushing’s Disease Caused by Pituitary Adenoma

Trusted, Nationally Recognized Care at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center

Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center is the primary teaching hospital for McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston. Vizient— the nation’s largest provider-driven healthcare performance improvement company — has consistently ranked us among the top 10 academic medical centers in the United States.

Home of The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research (TIRR), we provide a variety of services to support your recovery. This includes our Functional Vision Rehabilitation Program, for patients with tumor-associated vision loss.

Safer, Smarter, More Precise Care for Pituitary and Skull Base Tumors

Accurate diagnosis of pituitary tumors requires advanced and highly specialized tools. At our center, we use dynamic endocrine testing, cutting-edge 3T MRI imaging with specialized protocols to detect even the smallest tumors, and advanced procedures such as inferior petrosal sinus sampling (IPSS) to ensure precise localization.

Minimally invasive approaches to the skull base have improved dramatically with advancements in camera technology. Our 4K HD cameras provide a superior view to perform many surgeries through the nose, avoiding a scalp incision and brain exposure.

For patients who need radiation therapy, we offer treatment with the Leksell Gamma Knife® Icon™. The Icon™ allows us to treat a wider range of conditions with greater accuracy, improved comfort, and shorter treatment times. Established in 1996, our program was among the first Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery centers in the nation—and the very first in Houston. Since then, our expert team of neurosurgeons and radiation oncologists has performed over 5,000 Gamma Knife procedures.

Shaping the Future of Pituitary Tumor Care

As part of a research consortium of top pituitary centers in the country, we are leading research to redefine how pituitary tumors are diagnosed and treated—bringing new insights directly to patient care.

We maintain a comprehensive pituitary tumor tissue bank, which supports ongoing and future research efforts. We routinely use transcription factor analysis—tools not available at most hospitals—to understand the molecular characteristics of pituitary tumors. This allows us to make more accurate diagnoses, tailor treatments to each patient, and deliver better outcomes.

Advancing Pituitary Tumor Care through Education and Teamwork

We are leaders in medical education, committed to training the next generation of pituitary tumor experts. As Program Directors for residency and fellowship programs in Neurosurgery, Endocrinology, and Otorhinolaryngology, we provide rigorous training that prepares future specialists for excellence in patient care and research.

To ensure every patient receives comprehensive, personalized care, we lead a collaborative Pituitary Tumor Conference where complex cases are discussed across specialties—including Neurosurgery, Endocrinology, Otorhinolaryngology, Neuroradiology, Neuropathology, and Radiation Oncology.

On a national level, we actively contribute to the advancement of our fields by delivering lectures and serving on committees for leading professional organizations.

Meet Our Team

Neurosurgery

Endocrinology

Otorhinolaryngology

Neuro-Ophthalmology

Radiation Oncology

Neuro-Oncology

Neuroradiology

Neuropathology

Collaboration with Referring Providers

At the UTHealth Houston Pituitary Tumor Center we engage referring providers in the care of their patients, keeping them informed about patient progress throughout the evaluation and treatment process. To refer a patient, please call us at (713) 486-7760 or complete our appointment request form.

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Make an Appointment

To ask a question, schedule an appointment, or learn more about the UTHealth Houston Pituitary Tumor Center, please call us at (713) 486-8000 or complete our appointment request form. You’ll be connected with Maria Martinez, our Pituitary Tumor Center Coordinator. If you would prefer to coordinate care for your initial visit, Dr. Spiros Blackburn (Neurosurgery), Dr. Katie Gutteberg (Endocrinology), and Dr. William Yao (Otorhinolaryngology) see patients on Tuesdays at the Memorial Hermann Medical Plaza (6400 Fannin Street, Suites 2800 and 2700).

In the event of an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest Emergency Room.

 

UTHealth Houston Neurosciences – Texas Medical Center
6400 Fannin St, Suite 2800
Houston, TX 77030
Phone: (713) 486-8000
Fax: (713) 486-8088

TO REFER A PATIENT:
P: (713) 486-7760
F: (713) 500-0884