Stereotaxic Cryosurgery of the Pituitary Gland in Carcinoma of the Breast and Other Disorders

Fifteen patients underwent stereotaxic pituitary cryosurgery between June 1965 and January 1966. Two patients with functioning tumors—one, a corticotropinsecreting chromophobe adenoma, and the other, an eosinophilic adenoma—responded satisfactorily to freezing. Of 13 cryohypophysectomies performed nine were for carcinoma of the breast, three for carcinoma of the prostate, and one for diabetic retinopathy. Freezing parameters, operative technique, and placement of the cryoprobe were correlated with the occurrence of complications. If modification of the surgical procedure reduces the incidence of complications, cryohypophysectomy will offer a safe and effective method for pituitary ablation.