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March 16, 2016

PATIENT STORY: Seeing Clearly After Pituitary Adenoma Surgery

by Sharmyn McGraw

There is a pea-sized structure at the base of the brain called the pituitary gland. It doesn’t look like much and it could be easy to overlook, but don’t underestimate the power of the pituitary gland. Small, yet mighty, this “master endocrine gland” is part of the...

man holding his head
February 15, 2016

Adapting to a Chronic Condition

by Sharmyn McGraw

by Guest Writer Dr. Patti Johnson It takes Two – You and Your Support Team A chronic condition is one that persists over time without an easily definable beginning, middle and end. After being diagnosed with a chronic condition, such as some types of brain...

woman with her thumb up
January 21, 2016

PATIENT STORY: A Tale of Two Cushing’s Surgeries

by Zara Jethani

Rae lives on a 9000 acre ranch in Northern California, is a wife, a mother of four teenagers and is in remission after the removal of pituitary tumors which caused her to develop Cushing’s Disease. Rae grew up as an Army brat and went to 22 countries before she was 20 years old. She says, “It...

patient with violin in surgery
January 11, 2016

The Evolution of Awake Brain Surgery

by Zara Jethani

Canst thou not minister to a mind diseased, Pluck from the memory a rooted sorrow, Raze out the written troubles of the brain And with some sweet oblivious antidote Cleanse the stuffed bosom of that perilous stuff Which weighs upon the heart? – Shakespeare, Macbeth,...

colorful rendering of a brain
January 1, 2016

Brain Cancer Breakthroughs to Build on in 2016

by Zara Jethani

Crossing the blood-brain barrier can be a good thing. The blood-barrier normally protects the brain from attack by toxins and infection. This same protective quality prevents drugs reaching areas of the brain that are affected by disease such as brain cancer. Researchers in Canada were able...

endonasal surgery approach
December 14, 2015

Dr. Garni Barkhoudarian publishes a layperson’s article about The Resilient Pituitary in Atlas of Science

by Guest Author

Atlas of Science : The Resilient Pituitary Gland The pituitary gland is considered to be the “master endocrine gland”. It is a pea-sized structure located at the base of the brain, important in controlling growth and development and the functioning of the other endocrine glands....

person near a river with their hands up
December 3, 2015

PATIENT STORY: My Pituitary Surgery was Truly a Team Approach

by Guest Author

Gerald, a retired Neurologist, from Hawaii, developed a recurrent pituitary adenoma in December 2014. His success and experience with the Pacific Brain Tumor Center and Pituitary Disorders Program team have allowed him to go home back to his active lifestyle. *   *   *   *   *...

child smelling a sunflower
November 30, 2015

To Smell, or Not To Smell?

by Zara Jethani

By Chester Griffiths, MD, FACS Chief, Endoscopic Endonasal Skull Base Surgery Pacific Brain Tumor Center “Smell is a potent wizard that transports you across thousands of miles and all the years you have lived.” – Helen Keller The organ of smell is located in the roof of...

mother speaking with her teen daughter
November 13, 2015

I Have a Brain Tumor. Now What? Ways to Handle a Diagnosis. (Part 2 of 2)

by Sharmyn McGraw

There are many effective treatment opinions nowadays for brain tumors and brain cancers. Sometimes staying focused on the right treatment plan for you or your loved one may involve a change of treatment plans periodically. It is normal to feel anxiety and experience the signs...

woman and her partner
November 12, 2015

I Have a Brain Tumor. Now What? Ways to Handle a Diagnosis. (Part 1 of 2)

by Sharmyn McGraw

One of the most difficult things to hear at your doctor’s visit is that you or someone you love has a brain tumor and/or brain cancer. It is normal to feel a whole range of emotions – disbelief, denial, shock, depression, sadness, resignation, anger and more....

Last updated: May 5th, 2022