Pituitary Adenoma Diary #3: My First Tertiary Hospital Outpatient Visit: Brain Tumor Diagnosis & Surgery Consultation

My Pituitary Adenoma Battle Diary

D-101

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First Day at the Tertiary Hospital – My Initial Consultation

Today was my first outpatient visit at the university hospital where I had scheduled my neurosurgery consultation.

I’ve always been fairly healthy—rarely catching a cold and hardly ever visiting hospitals.
But as I walked into the hospital, I was struck by how many truly sick people were around me.

Even then, I kept thinking,
"I feel totally fine… but what if they say I need surgery?"

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First Impressions of the Hospital

The last time I had visited a university hospital was back in middle school when I came for a patient visit.
Back then, it felt like walking into a luxury hotel—bright and well-maintained.

But now, decades later, the hospital clearly showed its age.
Renovation work was underway everywhere.

"Are you old and worn out, just like me?" I thought as I walked through the hallways.

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Arriving for My First Outpatient Visit

I’m not an early riser by nature,
but I told myself I must arrive at least 30 minutes before my 9:20 AM appointment.
And, of course, I ended up arriving way too early.

The Neurosurgery Department was located on the 2nd floor of the Brain & Nerve Center in the hospital’s main building.
But with the renovations in progress, who knows where it’ll be next time?

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Registering My MRI Records

After checking in, I went to a self-service kiosk to upload the MRI results from my health screening.

📀 Uploading the MRI CD felt incredibly convenient.
Technology has truly come a long way—just follow the on-screen instructions step by step!

I had considered checking the MRI at home beforehand,
but let’s be honest—I got too busy with life and kept putting it off.

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Waiting for My Consultation

With plenty of time to kill, I grabbed a coffee and wandered around the hospital.

Even though it was early morning, the waiting area was packed with patients.
I waited for what felt like an eternity before I was finally called into the consultation room.

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Meeting My Neurosurgeon

After spending days reading countless patient stories about pituitary adenomas,
I felt like I already knew my neurosurgeon, even though we were meeting for the first time.

For a brief moment, I almost greeted him like an old Instagram friend—the power of parasocial connections! 😂

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The Doctor’s First Words

"So, they can detect tumors with a full-body MRI?
That’s quite surprising."

Apparently, full-body MRI scans aren’t usually detailed enough to detect specific conditions,
but the doctor at my screening center must have focused on my brain scan to catch the anomaly.

At that moment, I silently thanked the screening doctor—
truly my second guardian angel in this journey. 🙏

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Diagnosis: A 2.2cm Tumor

The doctor confirmed:
✔ It’s a pituitary adenoma—yes, technically a brain tumor.
✔ At 2.2cm, it’s considered a macroadenoma (large tumor).
✔ Surgery might be necessary depending on further evaluations.
✔ Malignancy vs. Benign: The only way to confirm if it’s cancerous is through a biopsy.

Since the full-body MRI wasn’t focused solely on the pituitary gland,
he recommended repeating all necessary tests at the hospital from scratch.

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The Reality of Pituitary Surgery

🧠 “Pituitary adenoma surgeries are common and generally successful.”
💉 “However, given the tumor’s size, it seems to be pressing on a major artery.”
⚠️ “That could make the surgery more challenging than usual.”

Hearing this, my heart sank.
But nothing could be decided until after comprehensive testing.

At this point, all I could do was wait.

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Post-Consultation Tasks

✔ Blood Test 🩸
✔ MRI Order 📸
✔ Scheduled Next Appointment 🗓

I headed straight to the phlebotomy (blood draw) room, had my blood taken,
and completed my first outpatient consultation.

🎯 First mission: COMPLETE.

But then… I went to work.

Because in South Korea, even with a brain tumor diagnosis,
you still have to show up to the office.

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What Is a Pituitary Adenoma?

1. Definition

A pituitary adenoma is a benign (non-cancerous) tumor that develops in the pituitary gland,
potentially disrupting normal hormone regulation.

2. Types

✅ By Hormonal Function

• Functioning Adenomas (overproduce hormones):
  • Prolactinoma → Irregular menstruation, infertility, lactation
  • Cushing’s Disease → Weight gain, facial swelling
  • Growth Hormone Adenoma → Acromegaly (abnormal growth)
• Non-Functioning Adenomas (do not secrete hormones but cause symptoms by pressing on nearby structures).

✅ By Size

• Microadenoma: Less than 1 cm.
• Macroadenoma: 1 cm or larger, may compress critical structures.

3. Symptoms

• Hormonal Imbalances: Fatigue, weight fluctuations, menstrual irregularities.
• Tumor Size Effects: Headaches, vision problems, nausea.

4. Diagnosis

• Hormone Tests: Blood & urine analysis.
• MRI/CT Scan: Determines tumor size & location.
• Vision Test: Assesses optic nerve compression.

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Treatment Options

✅ 1. Medication

• Prolactinomas → Dopamine agonists (e.g., cabergoline) to shrink tumors.

✅ 2. Surgery

• Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Surgery → A minimally invasive nasal approach to remove the tumor.

✅ 3. Radiation Therapy

• Used for removing residual tumors or preventing recurrence.

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Prognosis & Long-Term Management

• Most pituitary adenomas are benign & highly treatable.
• Regular follow-ups are necessary for hormone & tumor monitoring.

✅ Key Lifestyle Tips

• Manage stress & maintain regular sleep habits.
• Stay in close communication with your doctor.
• Track symptoms like headaches & hormonal changes.

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💛 If You Found This Diary Helpful, Please Like & Comment! 💛

Your support means the world to me.
Feel free to ask any questions—I’ll do my best to share what I’ve learned!

⚠️ Disclaimer:
This diary is a personal record of my journey and is meant to share experiences only.
Unauthorized reproduction, redistribution, or commercial use is prohibited.

#PituitaryAdenoma #BrainTumor #Neurosurgery #MRI #TranssphenoidalSurgery #HormoneImbalance #MedicalJourney #EndoscopicSurgery #SouthKoreaHealthcare #PituitaryTumor