“Health is a state of complete harmony of the body, mind, and spirit.”

— B.K.S. Iyengar

PNA Spotlight: Dr. Adam Mamelak

This month the PNA Spotlight focuses on Dr. Adam Mamelak, a neurosurgeon and co-director of the Pituitary Center at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Dr. Mamelak earned his B.A. in Physics at Tufts University and earned his MD from Harvard Medical School. He did a surgical internship and then a residency at the University of California at San Francisco Medical Center. He did a fellowship at the Epilepsy Research Laboratory at UCSF, and another postdoctoral fellowship in neuroscience at the California Institute of Technology & Huntington Medical Research Institutes in Pasadena, California. Dr. Mamelak was kind enough to answer a series of questions from the PNA.

His answers are below:

PNA Medical Corner: New options for imaging MRI-resistant Cushing tumors

The tiny tumors that cause Cushing disease are tough to detect with standard MRI. Fortunately, some new options are available, boosting the chances for successful treatment.

“Sometimes pituitary tumors are so small, they’re nearly impossible to see,” says Mayo Clinic neurosurgeon Dr. Jamie J. Van Gompel. “The success of surgery drops dramatically when we can’t see these tumors on imaging. Anything that tells us where the tumor is will help us determine the risks of surgery and also improve the chances of long-term cure.”

About half the tumors that cause Cushing disease aren’t clearly visible on standard MRI. Standard MRI provides 2D images of relatively large sections of the pituitary, which might not show a tumor that’s only several millimeters in size. Pituitary MRI is also prone to visual flaws or artifacts.

“It’s hard for MRI to image tissue that’s near air. And the pituitary always has air next to it, from the sinuses,” explains Mayo Clinic neuroradiologist Dr. Ian T. Mark.

The FDA has approved NGENLA (somatrogon-ghla)

The FDA has approved NGENLA (somatrogon-ghla), a once-weekly, human growth hormone analog indicated for treatment of pediatric patients aged three years and older who have growth failure due to an inadequate secretion of endogenous growth hormone.

See the Press Release here>

Count on your Xeris CareConnection™ Team for unparalleled Cushing’s Support

Cushing’s can be challenging, but there is support so patients can feel like themselves again. The main goal of treating Cushing’s is to get cortisol levels back to normal. This Pituitary Awareness Month, Xeris Pharmaceuticals® is highlighting the importance of one-on-one support for patients living with Cushing’s Syndrome and support for HCPs treating Cushing’s Syndrome.

Sign up to get dedicated support:

Patients: Sign up for support | Recorlev® (levoketoconazole)

HCP’s: Connect with Xeris support | RECORLEV® (levoketoconazole)

Have more questions? Call for more support at 1-844-444-RCLV (7258)