Treatments for pituitary gland cancer

Last medical review:

Your healthcare team will create a treatment plan just for you. The plan is based on your health and specific information about the cancer. What you want is also important when planning treatment. When deciding which treatments to offer for pituitary gland cancer, your healthcare team will consider:

  • the type and size of the tumour
  • if the tumour has grown into (invaded) nearby areas
  • if the tumour makes too much of a certain hormone (called a functioning tumour) and which hormone it makes
  • any medical problems you have
  • what you prefer or want

A pituitary neuroendocrine tumour (PitNET) is the most common type of pituitary gland cancer. PitNETs are usually treated with surgery and drug therapy. Radiation therapy is sometimes used.

In rare cases, a PitNET can spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. Metastatic PitNETs are treated with drug therapy and surgery. Radiation therapy is also sometimes used.

Talk to your doctor about treatment options for other types of pituitary gland cancer.

Treatments for pituitary neuroendocrine tumours (PitNETs)

Pituitary neuroendocrine tumours (PitNETs) are often treated with surgery and drug therapy. Radiation therapy may also be used.

Treatments for metastatic pituitary neuroendocrine tumours (PitNETs)

Metastatic pituitary neuroendocrine tumours (PitNETs) used to be called pituitary carcinomas. They can be treated with surgery, drug therapy and radiation therapy.

Surgery for pituitary gland cancer

Surgery is a medical procedure to examine, remove or repair tissue. A pituitary neuroendocrine tumour (PitNET), the most common type of pituitary gland cancer, is often treated with surgery.

Drug therapy for pituitary gland cancer

The most common type of pituitary gland cancer is a pituitary neuroendocrine tumour (PitNET). PitNETs are often treated with drug therapy.

Radiation therapy for pituitary gland cancer

Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells. A pituitary neuroendocrine tumour (PitNET), the most common type of pituitary gland cancer, is sometimes treated with radiation therapy.

Follow-up after treatment for pituitary gland cancer

Follow-up is an important part of care for pituitary gland cancer. It often involves regular tests and visits with the healthcare team.

Your trusted source for accurate cancer information

With support from readers like you, we can continue to provide the highest quality cancer information for over 100 types of cancer.

We’re here to ensure easy access to accurate cancer information for you and the millions of people who visit this website every year. But we can’t do it alone.

Every donation helps fund reliable cancer information, compassionate support services and the most promising research. Please give today because every contribution counts. Thank you.

Medical disclaimer

The information that the Canadian Cancer Society provides does not replace your relationship with your doctor. The information is for your general use, so be sure to talk to a qualified healthcare professional before making medical decisions or if you have questions about your health.

We do our best to make sure that the information we provide is accurate and reliable but cannot guarantee that it is error-free or complete.

The Canadian Cancer Society is not responsible for the quality of the information or services provided by other organizations and mentioned on cancer.ca, nor do we endorse any service, product, treatment or therapy.


1-888-939-3333 | cancer.ca | © 2025 Canadian Cancer Society