Pituitary Center
Part of Stanford Health Care Neuroscience
Leaders in Pituitary Tumor Care
Our center is ranked among the top in the world by both physicians and patients who travel great distances to benefit from the expertise of our medical and surgical specialists. The effects of pituitary tumors and neuroendocrine disorders vary dramatically from one person to another. Care should be personalized and comprehensive.
213 Quarry Road
Palo Alto,
CA
94304
Phone: 650-723-6469
WHAT WE OFFER YOU FOR CARE
- Highly personalized care in treating all types of tumors and neuroendocrine conditions. Go to Conditions Treated
- Advanced treatment options including innovative surgical techniques to offer safer, and better outcomes. Go to Treatments
- Clinical trials that access to novel approaches to treatment. Go to Clinical Trials
- A team approach with a variety of specialists working in close coordination on a care plan customized to your physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. Go to Your Care Team
- Comprehensive support services to help you with your specific symptoms and the challenges of this experience. Go to Support Services
- Ease of access from two international airports and assistance from our International Medical Services team to plan your travel and accommodations. Go to Accessing Care
Each member of our team has specialized training in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions involving the pituitary gland and endocrine system.
We work tirelessly to translate our discoveries into transformative care and have become a sought-after referral center as we share our knowledge with colleagues around the world.
We offer superior outcomes because our team of neurosurgeons, rhinologists, neuroradiologists, neuropathologists, neuro-ophthalmologists, oculoplastic surgeons, radiation oncologists, neuroendocrinologists, and more work closely to collaborate on your care. They effectively treat all conditions of the pituitary and endocrine system, including those that other health centers consider too challenging to attempt.
- Acromegaly
- Adult growth hormone deficiency
- Craniopharyngioma
- Cushing’s Syndrome
- Hypothalamic disorders
- Nonfunctioning tumors
- Prolactinoma
- Pituitary Adenoma
- Rathkes Cleft Cyst
Your condition, overall health, and lifestyle guide our treatment recommendations from our team of specialists.
INNOVATION HIGHLIGHTS
- Stanford neurosurgeons developed a technique to carefully remove the medial wall of the cavernous sinus, which is key to superior surgical outcomes.
- Clinic Director, Dr. Juan Fernandez-Miranda, has developed a new approach Endoscopic Endonasal Surgery, which has improved outcomes espcially for patients with acromegoly and Cushing's disease.
- We use our unique virtual reality program and 3D images of your skull base to prepare for your treatment.
- Stanford neurosurgeons revolutionized skull base treatment by inventing and expanding the use of CyberKnife to treat conditions that were thought to be untreatable.
Active Surveillance
If you have a small tumor that isn’t causing symptoms, your doctor may recommend periodic MRI imaging and physical exams without other interventions.
Surgery
If surgery is recommended, an endoscopic endonasal approach is a scarless surgery that allows your surgeon to follow the natural pathway through your nostril to reach the tumor. The Stanford team is known around the world for its command of neuroanatomy and ability to deliver more precise, safer, gentler operations. That has allowed for complete removal of tumors once thought impossible to fully remove – especially those that have grown into the complex anatomy behind the sinuses and near the brain space.
Our operating rooms are equipped with 4K and 3D endoscopic equipment to better visualize the tumor and highly specialized instruments designed by the Stanford team to improve the gentleness and success of the operations.
Therapy
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy may be recommended after surgery to attack any residual cancer cells.
- Stereotactic Radiosurgery – A computer-guided delivery system is used to deliver highly focused beams of x-ray radiation to the tumor, while minimizing effects to the surrounding tissue. While radiation does not remove the tumor, it can be effective in stopping the growth of a tumor.
- Intensity-modulated radiation therapy – 3D images help the target the tumor with radiation beams from many different angles and with varying doses to target the tumor and avoid surrounding healthy tissues.
Drug Therapy
Our endocrinologists are highly experienced in diagnostic strategies, the administration of replacement hormones and drugs to block hormone excess syndromes, as well as investigational drugs for the treatment of pituitary disorders, such as Cushing's disease, acromegaly, prolactinoma, and growth hormone deficiency.
Clinical Trials
As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may be eligible to participate in open clinical trials. Open trials refer to studies that are currently recruiting participants or that may recruit participants in the near future. Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but similar studies may open in the future.
Your Care Team
The Pituitary Center delivers superior care and outcomes because its broad team of specialists collaborate to confirm the smallest details of your condition and recommendations for your care and recovery.
Your Doctors
Neuroendocrinologist
An endocrinologist is an internal medicine doctor with additional training in the endocrine system and its conditions.
View All 2 NeuroendocrinologistsNeurosurgeon
A neurosurgeon is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of disorders of the central and peripheral nervous system.
View All {0} NeurosurgeonsNeuro-ophthalmologist
A neuro-ophthalmologists are board-certified ophthalmologists who receive additional training in visual problems related to the brain and nervous system.
View All {0} Neuro-ophthalmology SpecialistsNeuropathologist
A neuropathologist is a board-certified clinical pathologist with additional training and specialization of diagnoses of the brain and nervous system.
View All {0} NeuropathologistsNeuroradiologist
A neuropathologist is a board-certified clinical pathologist with additional training and specialization of diagnoses of the brain and nervous system.
View All {0} NeuroradiologistsOtolaryngologist/Head and Neck Surgeon
An otolaryngologist is a doctor who specializes in the non-surgical and surgical treatment of conditions of the ears, nose, and throat.
View All {0} Head And Neck SurgeonsRadiation Oncologist
A radiation oncologist uses high-energy X-rays to precisely target and destroy tumor cells and prevent their spread.
View All {0} Radiation OncologistsRhinologist
A rhinologist is an otolaryngologist who pursued additional training and specialization in nasal and sinus disorders.
View All {0} RhinologistsStanford is an Academic Medical Center, which is a type of hospital setting where doctors teach the entire spectrum of medical education. Students range from beginning medical students to fully licensed and practicing doctors completing advanced sub-specialty training. Stanford Medicine is a partnership between Stanford University School of Medicine and Stanford Health Care. Since Stanford is a teaching hospital, you can expect to meet many providers and providers in training.
- Attending Physician: a doctor who supervises doctors in training or in medical school
- Fellow: a doctor doing postgraduate level work and specializing in care of patients with specific conditions
- Resident: a doctor who has graduated from medical school and is in training (also called “residency”) here at Stanford. A resident is also called an intern
- Medical Student: a student who is currently enrolled in medical school with the goal of becoming a doctor
Support Services
Our commitment to compassionate care includes ensuring convenient access to our services. Our clinics are conveniently located on the Stanford Medicine campus in Palo Alto.
Frequently Asked Questions
We participate in a wide range of insurance plans. View the list of insurance plans accepted by Stanford Health Care
Have insurance or pre-authorization questions? The Patient Financial Clearance team is available Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., to answer your questions. Please call 650-724-4445 or 1-877-291-7335 (toll free).
Yes, Stanford Health Care offers financial assistance for patients who are uninsured or underinsured. Meet with one of our financial counselors to find the best approach to paying for your health care. Financial counselors are available Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Learn more about financial assistance services
You will need to have the following information with you when you check in:
- Insurance card
- A form of payment for any co-pays or deductibles
- One form of photo ID:
- Valid state-issued driver’s license
- Valid state-issued ID card
- Valid passport
- Valid U.S. Military ID card
- Valid U.S. Permanent Resident Card
Please print, fill out, and return the Medical Record Release Form to your new patient coordinator. The medical release form is an authorization form for external facilities to release medical records to Stanford Health Care.
Always feel free to bring someone with you to your appointments. A family member or friend can help ask questions, remember the information your care team gives you, and provide support.
Write down your questions before your appointment and rank them in order of importance, beginning with the most important ones. If there isn’t enough time to have all your questions answered during your appointment, ask your doctor who you can speak with to get your other questions answered.
For assistance getting to your appointment, the staff at Ocular and Orbital Oncology are here to help. Please call 650-723-6469.
Please see Directions and Parking information for:
You can call the clinic directly to schedule an appointment. To make an appointment, call 650-723-6469.
You have multiple options when it comes to paying your bill.
- Pay Online:
- You can log in to MyHealth or the MyHealth mobile app to see and pay your bill.
Already have an account but need help logging in?
Contact the MyHealth Help Desk
- You can also pay as a guest to pay your bill without logging in.
- Pay by mail:
- Stanford Health Care
P.O. Box 740715, Los Angeles, CA 90074-0715
Los Angeles, CA 90074-0715
- Stanford Health Care
- Pay by Phone:
- You can call our Patient Billing Customer Service Office
1-800-549-3720.
- You can call our Patient Billing Customer Service Office
For our latest business hours and for more information about billing, visit our Billing page.
We offer a number of support services, including support groups, interpreter services, nutrition services, a health library, and a variety of classes and events. Learn more about our support services
To determine if a clinical trial is right for you, talk to your doctor. He or she can refer you to a research coordinator for more information on studies that may be right for your specific condition.
You can also find the guidelines for who can participate in a particular clinical trial online. However, it is best to work with your doctor to decide the right care approach for your needs.
Many of our programs are available to international patients.
Our International Medicine Services team can help you find the right doctor, estimate medical costs, book travel, and get you information about Stanford programs and services.
Please call +1 650-723-8561 or email IMS@stanfordhealthcare.org to get started.
For Referring Physicians
PHYSICIAN HELPLINE
Fax: 650-320-9443
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Stanford Health Care provides comprehensive services to refer and track patients, as well as the latest information and news for physicians and office staff. For help with all referral needs and questions, visit Referral Information.
You may also submit a web referral or complete a referral form and fax it to 650-320-9443 or email the Referral Center at ReferralCenter@stanfordhealthcare.org.
- Send referrals online
- Place radiology and lab orders
- View referral status
- Access medical records
