“If you achieve all kinds of things in the material world, but you lose your health or your peace of mind, you get little or no pleasure from your other accomplishments.” – Brian Tracy

PNA Spotlight: Dr. Gelarah Zadeh

This month the PNA Spotlight focuses on Gelarah Zadeh, M.D., Ph.D., a neurosurgeon at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.   She specializes in gliomas and meningiomas. She earned her bachelor’s degree and her M.D. at the University of Manitoba.  She did her postdoctoral training and then a Ph.D. at the University of Toronto.  She completed fellowships at the University Health Network, at University College of London, and at the Canadian Institutes of Health. We posed some written questions to Dr. Zadeh; her answers are below.

What inspired you to choose this career path?

I had outstanding mentors, including Dr. Norman Hill who was a neurosurgeon in Manitoba and had trained at Mayo Clinic. I also want to recognize my neuroanatomy instructor, retired neurosurgeon Dr. Dwight Parkinson, who also trained at Mayo Clinic and was the first neurosurgeon in Canada. Drs. West and Fewer allowed me to experience neurosurgery in the operating room and see the intricate procedures, sparking my interest in the field. Dr. Fewer oversaw my first pituitary surgery.

Read More Here

Caring for Pituitary Tumors: It Takes a Village of Experts

A pituitary tumor diagnosis can leave you with more questions than answers. You might wonder why you’re feeling the way you do, whether it’s serious, and what happens next. What makes it more confusing is how different each case can be.

Though typically noncancerous, these tumors can affect critical functions the pituitary gland controls. Symptoms can range from subtle to disruptive, and the right treatment path isn’t always obvious.

The pituitary gland itself is small and delicately situated at the base of the brain—close to the optic chiasm and the carotid arteries. Tumors in this area can grow enough to press on nearby structures, impacting hormone levels, vision, energy, and more. Even small changes in this part of the brain can have wide-ranging effects on the body.

Because of this complexity, treating pituitary adenomas effectively requires a coordinated team of multidisciplinary experts working toward a single goal: doing what’s best for the patient. It’s a model of care that’s increasingly seen as essential—and at major centers like Mayo Clinic, it’s already the standard.

“Pituitary tumors don’t exist in a vacuum,” said Mayo Clinic neuro-oncologist Dr. Maciej M. Mrugala. “They can affect multiple systems in the body, and it usually takes input from several different specialties to understand the full picture.”

That team may include an endocrinologist to assess hormone function, a neurosurgeon to evaluate surgical options, an ophthalmologist to monitor vision changes, and a radiologist to interpret imaging. In some cases, a radiation oncologist or pathologist may also be involved. Rather than moving from specialist to specialist in isolation, some providers bring all of these perspectives together through a multidisciplinary team. This approach can make a significant difference—not only in how decisions are made, but also in how quickly patients get answers.

At Mayo Clinic, pituitary cases are reviewed each week by a dedicated team of specialists. According to Dr. Mrugala, these case conferences allow for a deep dive into each patient’s imaging, lab results, history, and symptoms, with real-time input from everyone involved in the case. “This is not just a formality,” he said. “It’s a working meeting where we discuss what we’re seeing, what it might mean, and how best to move forward. It often informs or improves the treatment plan.”

For patients, this means their case doesn’t rely on a single physician’s perspective. Instead, they benefit from a collaborative review by experts who regularly treat pituitary tumors—and who understand that no two cases are alike.

Pituitary tumors can behave very differently depending on their type, size, location, and whether they produce hormones. Some are best managed with medication. Others require surgery. In certain cases, watchful monitoring may be the safest choice.

“There’s no standard algorithm that fits everyone,” Mrugala noted. “It’s really about matching the treatment to the individual—what symptoms they’re having, how the tumor is behaving, and what’s going on in their life.”

He noted that having multiple disciplines at the table helps ensure the care plan reflects the full scope of the patient’s needs.

For someone newly diagnosed with a pituitary tumor, navigating the medical system can be as overwhelming as understanding the tumor itself. A team-based approach offers more than medical insight—it provides clarity, direction, and the assurance that the full picture is being seen.

Dr. Mrugala sees that as central to good care. “Patients don’t just want the right answer,” he said. “They want to know that someone is thinking it through, looking at every angle, and making decisions with their best interest in mind. That’s what the team is there to do.”

For more information or to request an appointment, please visit Pituitary Tumor Care – Mayo Clinic    

Surgical and non-surgical approaches to pituitary tumor care

For people with a pituitary tumor diagnosis, determining whether surgery is needed depends on the size and characteristics of the tumor. Pituitary adenomas are usually benign and slow growing, but they’re not always harmless. Some tumors grow in ways that disrupt your body’s hormone production. Others can grow large enough to compress nearby structures, including the optic nerves — which are responsible for your vision.

The pituitary gland, an extremely delicate, pea-sized gland located at the base of the brain, controls the body’s hormonal systems. “It’s basically the conductor of a very complex orchestra of hormones that regulate many of your body’s functions,” says Mayo Clinic Neurosurgeon Dr. Maria Peris-Celda.

Tumors that grow from this gland usually fall into two main categories: those that produce hormones (called functioning tumors), and those that do not (non-functioning tumors).

“When a tumor is producing hormones in excess — like prolactin, cortisol, or growth hormone — the first step is to try to control or cure the disease,” says Dr. Peris-Celda. “If it’s a prolactinoma, we often can treat it with medication. But for others, like tumors that cause Cushing’s disease or acromegaly, surgery is usually the first and best option.”

On the other hand, nonfunctioning tumors often grow silently — without symptoms — because they’re not producing extra hormones. But as they grow larger, they can press against nearby structures. One of the most concerning complications is pressure on the optic nerves, which can cause progressive vision loss.

“The optic nerves from each eye come together at the base of the brain, forming what’s called the optic chiasm — and that area is only a few millimeters from the pituitary gland,” explains Dr. Peris-Celda. “Tumor growth can compress that area, resulting in vision loss that starts with the peripheral vision — then slowly progresses toward the center.”

Figure 1 & 2. How a Pituitary Tumor Can Affect Nearby Structures

Figure 3. A typical example of endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal surgery

Unfortunately, because this type of vision loss happens gradually, many people don’t notice it until it’s significant. That’s why Dr. Peris-Celda recommends routine vision exams for people with pituitary tumors. “A visual field test can catch early changes, and an MRI can show if the tumor is approaching the optic nerves even before vision is affected.”

If a tumor shows progressive growth, is pressing on the optic apparatus— or causing other symptoms that can’t be controlled with medication — surgery becomes necessary. Most surgeries are performed through the nose using an endoscope, a minimally invasive approach that doesn’t require any external incisions. Surgery often leads to significant improvement or resolution, even in cases involving large tumors or patients who have experienced vision loss. In many instances, at least some of that vision can be restored.

At Mayo Clinic, these procedures are performed by a dedicated team of neurosurgeons and ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgeons, in collaboration with endocrinologists.

According to Dr. Peris-Celda, experience matters when it comes to treating pituitary challenges. “You want a skilled surgeon who specializes in treating these kinds of tumors routinely — not just occasionally,” she said, adding, “It’s a very delicate area, close to the optic nerves and carotid arteries. Our team performs hundreds of these surgeries each year, so our experience and expertise gives patients a great chance for a safe procedure and an excellent outcome.”

Most patients go home the day after surgery and are followed closely on an outpatient basis. “We monitor recovery and hormone levels carefully to make sure patients heal well and stay healthy,” she adds.

The bottom line: Not all pituitary tumors require surgery, but if your tumor is affecting your vision, shows progressive growth or can’t be managed with medication, it may be the best — and safest — treatment path.

For more information or to request an appointment, please visit Pituitary Tumor Care – Mayo Clinic

PNA Medical Corner: Prolactinomas

This month the PNA Medical Corner features a review study coauthored by two longtime members of the PNA: Professor Maria Fleseriu MD and Professor Shlomo Melmed MD.  The authors reviewed the literature on the pathogenesis, diagnosis and management of prolactin-secreting adenomas.

Dr. Maria Fleseriu

Dr. Shlomo Melmed

Summary

Hyperprolactinaemia can result from physiological causes, pharmacological agents, or pathological conditions such as prolactin-secreting pituitary adenomas and other pituitary stalk-compressing masses. Sporadic prolactinomas are the most common functioning pituitary adenomas, with a female predominance during reproductive years. In men, these adenomas are usually larger and more aggressive. Prolactinomas are characterised by positive immunostaining for prolactin, pituitary-specific positive transcription factor 1, and oestrogen receptor α. Dopamine agonists, particularly cabergoline, are typically used as primary therapy. Treatment with up to 2·0 mg per week of cabergoline for at least 6 months normalises prolactin concentrations, achieves adenoma shrinkage of at least 30%, and restores gonadal function in most patients. Transsphenoidal surgery is increasingly used as primary therapy for small prolactinomas given a high chance of remission; transsphenoidal surgery is also indicated for patients with dopamine agonist intolerance or resistance. Radiotherapy is reserved for treatment-refractory prolactinomas. Multidisciplinary management and an individualised approach are key to maximising therapeutic responsiveness and optimising outcomes. In this Review, we assess evidence relating to pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of prolactinomas, and highlight opportunities for future research.

Introduction

Prolactin-secreting lactotroph pituitary adenomas, also known as prolactinomas, account for more than half of all pituitary adenomas.¹ Hyperprolactinaemia due to causes other than a prolactinoma is increasingly being recognised. An accurate differential diagnosis is paramount. Most frequently, prolactinomas are diagnosed as microadenomas of less than 10 mm in maximal diameter, in combination with elevated prolactin concentrations. Dopamine agonists are typically used as primary therapy,² although patient preference and opportunity for cure have led to increased use of transsphenoidal surgery for small microadenomas, especially in specialised centres.3, 4, 5 Giant (≥40 mm) and cystic prolactinomas might need distinctive consideration for both diagnosis and treatment.⁶ More aggressive or treatment-resistant prolactinomas might require multimodal medical, surgical, and radiation therapy.⁷ Dr. Maria Fleseriu

This Review is relevant for a wide range of clinicians who might encounter patients with hyperprolactinaemia and prolactinomas, including: primary care practitioners, internists, endocrinologists, neurosurgeons, reproductive medicine and gynaecology specialists (given the effects of oestrogen on lactotrophs), psychiatrists (given the effects of antipsychotics on prolactin and the potential for psychiatric side-effects of cabergoline), and neuro-oncologists for aggressive prolactinomas.

Here, we review management of adults with prolactinomas. Management of children and adolescents with prolactinomas is largely similar, but clinical features unique to these populations can drive specific diagnostic workup and treatment decisions.8, 9, 10, 11 Recently published guidelines 12, 13 on management of pituitary adenomas in children and adolescents highlight the need for optimal multidisciplinary care.

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)

“Your body holds deep wisdom. Trust in it. Learn from it. Nourish it. Watch your life transform and be healthy.”

– Bella Bleue 

PNA Spotlight: Dr. Yuval Eisenberg

This month the PNA Spotlight shines on Dr. Yuval Eisenberg.  Dr. Eisenberg graduated from Rush Medical College at Rush University Medical Center in 2009. He works in Chicago, IL and two other locations and specializes in internal medicine as well as endocrinology, diabetes & metabolism.    Dr. Eisenberg is also affiliated with the University of Illinois Hospital Health & Science Center.  He was kind enough to answer some of our questions:

What inspired you to choose your career path?

My career path was guided by my interaction with patients and my mentors. The highlight of my medical school training was helping to diagnose a young man suffering from multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1), a rare genetic disorder causing multiple tumors, including a pituitary adenoma. Listening to his concerns and thinking outside the box, I helped provide him with the correct diagnosis and treatment plan – and started my journey into endocrinology. I have been fortunate to work with excellent clinician-educators in my career. Learning about and observing the care of patients with endocrine-related problems was fascinating and rewarding. The farther I got in my training, the more I realized that endocrinology was my passion and that patients with pituitary disorders would be my sub-focus. Patients with pituitary disease are a unique population who are in need of education, support and reassurance at diagnosis – and they often require long-term follow-up. This allows for time to develop a bond of trust; an aspect of medical practice I thoroughly enjoy.

Read More Here

Safeguarding the nose during pituitary tumor surgery

Pituitary tumors are typically removed through the nose during endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal surgery. Although minimally invasive, that approach requires expertise to minimize surgical trauma to the nose. Fortunately, surgeons are using new techniques that help safeguard the nose and maximize patients’ quality of life after surgery.

“The tendency now is to be less invasive in the approach through the nose,” explains Dr. Carlos D. Pinheiro Neto, a Mayo Clinic ENT/head and neck surgeon. “A very aggressive approach can cause chronic nasal crusting and infections, scabbing, decreased sense of smell and taste, and changes in the nose’s appearance.”

In endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal surgery, a small surgical camera and surgical instruments are placed through the nostrils to access the tumor through the sinuses. Mayo Clinic was among the first institutions to extensively research the approach. As initially developed, the procedure involved extensive nasal resection.

“The idea was to create a maximum opening of the sinuses to allow neurosurgeons to reach and remove the tumor from the skull base,” Dr. Pinheiro Neto says. “The nasal physiology and sinus symptoms after the surgery were not a priority — the nose was just a corridor to the tumor.”

Now, Dr. Pinheiro Neto is pioneering surgical techniques that minimize resection of the nasal and sinus structures. One involves leaving intact the middle turbinate, which plays important roles in nasal airflow, warming and filtering air to the lungs, and smelling. Another is using a nasal-floor graft to provide a seal between the nose and brain after tumor removal. The standard procedure when cerebrospinal fluid leaks during surgery involves a nasal septal flap created from the septum — the tissue that separates the nostrils’ two airways.

“Nasal graft is much better for patients. It avoids the exposure of the nasal septum cartilage, so there is less crusting and faster healing,” Dr. Pinheiro-Neto says. “Nasal septal flaps can also cause a structural collapse in the nasal bridge and increase the risk of septal perforations. Since changing our paradigm from nasal septal flap for pituitary surgery, our leak rate is 0.1%.”

The new techniques are based on research conducted in Mayo Clinic’s anatomy laboratory. Those lessons are translated to the operating room, where ENT/head and neck surgeons routinely work alongside neurosurgeons to remove pituitary tumors.

“That research has allowed us to achieve the same level of tumor resection and treatment outcomes, but with fewer complications,” Dr. Pinheiro-Nato says. “With time and experience, we have realized it’s possible to preserve most of the nose and still get good space in the back of the sinus for tumor removal.

“This is about improving patients’ quality of life,” Dr. Pinheiro-Neto says. “They can have a nasal procedure but after a few weeks of healing, the nose and nasal physiology, and the sinuses, are as good as ever before.”

Stanford Hosts Pituitary Patient Education Day

Stanford University invites the public to their free pituitary patient education day, to be held both in-person and via zoom on Saturday November 9th, 2024. The event will run from 8am-5pm and will take place in the Assembly Hall at Stanford Hospital.

The course co-directors include neurosurgeon Juan C. Fernandez-Miranda, MD (a longtime member of the PNA), and endocrinologist Julia Chang, MD. Topics to be discussed include the function of the pituitary gland, endonasal endoscopic surgery, cavernous sinus surgery, radiotherapy, Cushing’s, acromegaly, prolactinoma and more.

Click To Sign Up 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)

This month the PNA Spotlight focuses on endocrinologist Dr. Leena Shahla, director of the Duke Pituitary Center, part of Duke Health in Durham, North Carolina.  The program is listed by the PNA as a center of pituitary excellence. Dr. Shahla graduated medical school at Al-Baath University (in Homs, Syria), did her residency in internal medicine at St. Joseph’s at New York Medical College, and completed a fellowship in endocrinology at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Her pituitary focus has grown significantly over the years.   She initiated the pituitary tumor board at the University of Florida, Jacksonville, and later built the pituitary clinic at the University of Arizona, Phoenix. She arrived at Duke this past July.  Dr. Shahla was kind enough to answer a few questions from the PNA. Below is the conversation.

Please tell us about your work at Duke.

At Duke, I am the neuroendocrinologist and medical director of Duke Pituitary Center. Our multidisciplinary team includes specialists in neurosurgery, neuro-ophthalmology, ENTs, neuro-oncology, and neuro-radiology.  We run a multi-disciplinary clinic. When patients visit for evaluation, they often start with visual field testing, followed by appointments with me and one of the neurosurgeons, all in one place. We all collaborate closely behind the scenes to make the best plan for each patient.

What inspired you to choose this career path?

My interest in hormones and their role in regulating various physiological systems led me to specialize in endocrinology. And then, as I realized the significant impact of the pituitary on the endocrine system, I found the challenge of diagnosing and treating pituitary conditions fascinating, much like solving a complex puzzle. So ultimately, that inspired me to specialize in pituitary disorders.

What is the primary focus of your work or research?

We’re working on a study on the link between hypogonadism and prolactinoma. We are also going to be looking into early diagnosis of Cushing’s and acromegaly.

How has endocrinology evolved since you got into it, and where do you think it’s going?

Medicine today is more advanced than ever.  Especially in my specialty, there have been advancements in pituitary-focused diagnostic tests and new treatments continue to emerge. This progress is especially beneficial for complex cases that previously had limited treatment options. The field is moving forward with studies and clinical trials underway. Cushing’s and acromegaly are rare diseases and often leave patients suffering for years before diagnosis. However, with greater public awareness and improved testing, patients are being diagnosed earlier.

What should patients know about endocrinology? What needs more awareness?

Cushing’s Syndrome and acromegaly deserve more awareness, as many patients go undiagnosed for long periods. Not all cases present with obvious symptoms making it crucial for primary care physicians and other providers to recognize early signs. When patients are diagnosed in advanced stages, treatment becomes more challenging. Raising awareness can guide physicians to screen for Cushing’s syndrome and acromegaly or refer patients to endocrinology. This proactive approach can help us identify, diagnose, and treat patients sooner.

What are some of the signs that doctors and patients should be looking for, for acromegaly and Cushing’s?

Both patients and providers should be aware of certain signs and symptoms, although they can be subtle or develop gradually.

For Cushing’s, signs could be unexplained weight gain, easy bruising, muscle weakness, mood changes (anxiety, depression, irritability), uncontrolled diabetes, or hypertension.

For acromegaly, some of signs are facial changes, hand and feet growth (increased ring or shoe size), joint pain and swelling, tingling in hands, jaw changes or pain, and widening of spaces between the teeth.

Early detection of these signs combined with diagnostic tests can help lead to timely intervention and management

What would you like to convey about yourself to your patients?

I believe that the doctor-patient relationship is built on communication, empathy, and trust. I am thorough in my approach, and when I meet patients, especially for the first time, I prioritize listening to their concerns, making sure I answer their questions and explain their conditions clearly so they understand. And I involve them actively in the decision-making process.

Empathy is essential, especially during the diagnosis and early stages of treatment before patients start feeling better. They need support, hand-holding, and understanding because they are often struggling physically, mentally, and emotionally. It is important to listen to their concerns patiently and guide them without getting frustrated. While we may not be able to cure everything, we can keep the disease very well-controlled, allowing them to feel better and supported.

What made you want to get involved with the PNA?

I always wanted to be involved with the PNA because pituitary disorders are not that common, and this group provides invaluable support to patients. My goal is to contribute as much as possible to help patients and community providers recognize the disease early.  Patients must be referred to centers with the right resources for diagnosis and treatment. At the end of the day, we all care deeply about our patients’ well-being.

“Your body holds deep wisdom. Trust in it. Learn from it. Nourish it. Watch your life transform and be healthy.”

– Bella Bleue 

PNA Spotlight: Dr. Yuval Eisenberg

This month the PNA Spotlight shines on Dr. Yuval Eisenberg.  Dr. Eisenberg graduated from Rush Medical College at Rush University Medical Center in 2009. He works in Chicago, IL and two other locations and specializes in internal medicine as well as endocrinology, diabetes & metabolism. Dr. Eisenberg is also affiliated with the University of Illinois Hospital Health & Science Center.  He was kind enough to answer some of our questions:

What inspired you to choose your career path?

My career path was guided by my interaction with patients and my mentors. The highlight of my medical school training was helping to diagnose a young man suffering from multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1), a rare genetic disorder causing multiple tumors, including a pituitary adenoma. Listening to his concerns and thinking outside the box, I helped provide him with the correct diagnosis and treatment plan – and started my journey into endocrinology. I have been fortunate to work with excellent clinician-educators in my career. Learning about and observing the care of patients with endocrine-related problems was fascinating and rewarding. The farther I got in my training, the more I realized that endocrinology was my passion and that patients with pituitary disorders would be my sub-focus. Patients with pituitary disease are a unique population who are in need of education, support and reassurance at diagnosis – and they often require long-term follow-up. This allows for time to develop a bond of trust; an aspect of medical practice I thoroughly enjoy.

Read More Here

Safeguarding the nose during pituitary tumor surgery

Pituitary tumors are typically removed through the nose during endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal surgery. Although minimally invasive, that approach requires expertise to minimize surgical trauma to the nose. Fortunately, surgeons are using new techniques that help safeguard the nose and maximize patients’ quality of life after surgery.

“The tendency now is to be less invasive in the approach through the nose,” explains Dr. Carlos D. Pinheiro Neto, a Mayo Clinic ENT/head and neck surgeon. “A very aggressive approach can cause chronic nasal crusting and infections, scabbing, decreased sense of smell and taste, and changes in the nose’s appearance.”

In endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal surgery, a small surgical camera and surgical instruments are placed through the nostrils to access the tumor through the sinuses. Mayo Clinic was among the first institutions to extensively research the approach. As initially developed, the procedure involved extensive nasal resection.

“The idea was to create a maximum opening of the sinuses to allow neurosurgeons to reach and remove the tumor from the skull base,” Dr. Pinheiro Neto says. “The nasal physiology and sinus symptoms after the surgery were not a priority — the nose was just a corridor to the tumor.”

Now, Dr. Pinheiro Neto is pioneering surgical techniques that minimize resection of the nasal and sinus structures. One involves leaving intact the middle turbinate, which plays important roles in nasal airflow, warming and filtering air to the lungs, and smelling. Another is using a nasal-floor graft to provide a seal between the nose and brain after tumor removal. The standard procedure when cerebrospinal fluid leaks during surgery involves a nasal septal flap created from the septum — the tissue that separates the nostrils’ two airways.

“Nasal graft is much better for patients. It avoids the exposure of the nasal septum cartilage, so there is less crusting and faster healing,” Dr. Pinheiro-Neto says. “Nasal septal flaps can also cause a structural collapse in the nasal bridge and increase the risk of septal perforations. Since changing our paradigm from nasal septal flap for pituitary surgery, our leak rate is 0.1%.”

The new techniques are based on research conducted in Mayo Clinic’s anatomy laboratory. Those lessons are translated to the operating room, where ENT/head and neck surgeons routinely work alongside neurosurgeons to remove pituitary tumors.

“That research has allowed us to achieve the same level of tumor resection and treatment outcomes, but with fewer complications,” Dr. Pinheiro-Nato says. “With time and experience, we have realized it’s possible to preserve most of the nose and still get good space in the back of the sinus for tumor removal.

“This is about improving patients’ quality of life,” Dr. Pinheiro-Neto says. “They can have a nasal procedure but after a few weeks of healing, the nose and nasal physiology, and the sinuses, are as good as ever before.”

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)

This month the PNA Spotlight shines on Dr. Yuval Eisenberg.  Dr. Eisenberg graduated from Rush Medical College at Rush University Medical Center in 2009. He works in Chicago, IL and two other locations and specializes in internal medicine as well as endocrinology, diabetes & metabolism. Dr. Eisenberg is also affiliated with the University of Illinois Hospital Health & Science Center.  He was kind enough to answer some of our questions:

 What inspired you to choose your career path?

My career path was guided by my interaction with patients and by my mentors. The highlight of my medical school training was helping to diagnose a young man suffering from multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1), a rare genetic disorder causing multiple tumors, including a pituitary adenoma. Listening to his concerns and thinking outside the box, I helped provide him with the correct diagnosis and treatment plan – and started my journey into endocrinology. I have been fortunate to work with excellent clinician-educators in my career. Learning about and observing the care of patients with endocrine-related problems was fascinating and rewarding. The farther I got in my training, the more I realized that endocrinology was my passion and that patients with pituitary disorders would be my sub-focus. Patients with pituitary disease are a unique population who are in need of education, support and reassurance at diagnosis – and they often require long-term follow-up. This allows for time to develop a bond of trust; an aspect of medical practice I thoroughly enjoy.

What is the primary focus of your work/research?

My main focus is my clinical endocrinology practice, and I see a variety of patients, but I have a specialized interest in patients with pituitary disorders. My research interest is in the hormone oxytocin and how it might affect patients with pituitary hormone deficiencies (hypopituitarism).

What do you consider to be the future of your field?

In my opinion, the future is in specialized and individualized expert care when providing for patients with pituitary disorders. Given the rarity of these diseases, patients are best served by providers with interest and experience. Also, the more we know about pituitary tumors and the genetics behind them, the better we will be able to predict patient outcomes and tailor our therapies.

What should patients know about your field/what deserves more recognition/awareness?

My feeling is that patients need to know that they can/should advocate to get the care they deserve from providers with interest and experience in caring for individuals with their condition. They should also utilize the excellent patient-centered resources (like the PNA) to help educate and direct their care.

What would you like to convey about yourself to your patients?

The best part of my job is helping patients (and their families) understand their condition, their prognosis and their options. It’s tremendously rewarding to help someone feel more comfortable with what is often a completely foreign, and sometimes scary sounding group of diseases. I strive to always spend the time and energy needed to make patients feel more at ease with and educated about their disease.

• Why did you get involved with the PNA and what is the extent of your involvement?

Early in my career, I became excited to become more involved. My mentor has also been involved in the PNA for many years and recommended I become involved, as he found it an excellent resource for patients and providers.