Pituitary centers of excellence.
Pituitary tumors and associated neuroendocrine disorders pose significant challenges in diagnostic and therapeutic management. Optimal care of the "pituitary patient" is best provided in a multidisciplinary collaborative environment that includes not only experienced pituitary practitioners in neurosurgery and endocrinology, but also in otorhinolaryngological surgery, radiation oncology, medical oncology, neuro-ophthalmology, diagnostic and interventional neuroradiology, and neuropathology. We provide the background and rationale for recognizing pituitary centers of excellence and suggest a voluntary verification process, similar to that used by the American College of Surgeons for Trauma Center verification. We propose that pituitary centers of excellence should fulfill 3 key missions: (1) provide comprehensive care and support to patients with pituitary disorders; (2) provide residency training, fellowship training, and/or continuing medical education in the management of pituitary and neuroendocrine disease; and (3) contribute to research in pituitary disorders. As this is a preliminary proposal, we recognize several issues that warrant further consideration including center and surgeon practice volume as well as oversight of the verification process.
Brain Tumor Center & Pituitary Disorders Program, John Wayne Cancer Institute at Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, California 90404, USA.
Nancy
N
McLaughlin
Edward R
ER
Laws
Nelson M
NM
Oyesiku
Laurence
L
Katznelson
Daniel F
DF
Kelly
D006296:Health Services / Q000266:history; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000379:methods; D009493:Neurosurgery / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods*; D010900:Pituitary Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000601:surgery*