NN help finding an experienced pit surgeon/top pit facility?

[MNugentf]

My 71 yr old husband has quite a large pit tumor, getting close to encroaching on optic nerve and internal carotid. First surgeon we saw in S. Calif was a highly rated surgeon at a great facility but he turned out to have very little experience with pit surgery specifically, only about 6 per year. The facility also does mostly complex malignant brain tumor surgery.  I am having trouble finding out how to locate a very experienced pit surgeon and/or good facility for this particular type of medical problem.  We live near Disneyland in S. CA but other locations in the US would  not be a significant problem as I work for an airline and can get around if needed. Anyone have any recommendations for a skilled pit surgeon//top pit facility to try?

[rumpled]

Cedars, UCLA and many of the other larger hospitals in LA have a pituitary center. I hope you find a great surgeon!

I had my surgery in LA and I live in NJ!

[MNugentf]

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond and the valuable info about the Pit progam and your Dr. at UCLA.  I will be calling them tomorrow.

[sickandtired456]

one more thing:

If you choose to get more info from UCLA, they've changed to a universal telephone operator system which I find frustrating. The young people that answer the phones aren't in the drs offices, and they aren't medical personal. Be sure to call back until you get a live person or your message left won't be answered for 24-72 hours. Be sure to tell them of the severity of your tumor and that you have MRIs already and that this is an important second opinion matter for a problem thats been documented. Be sure to request Dr. Bergsnider as the other drs in the program aren't specialized to trans nasal resection the way he is. Good luck

[sickandtired456]

I had pit tumor removal at UCLA with Dr. Bergsnider, Dr Wang in Dec. 2014. There is a complete Pituitary Tumor Program at UCLA with several surgeons, but Dr. Bergsnider has done thousands of these operations. He is assisted by Dr. Wong who is an ENT that specializes in trans nasal resection. They work in conjunction with Dr. Heaney, an neuro-endo. I had a consultation with Dr. Bergsnider on a Thursday and he had already done 6 trans nasal tumor resections and the week wasn't over yet! It's definitely his specialty. It's a nice set up and beautiful facility. Bar they've been in the news lately for the super bug, I had a superior experience there and my recovery has been good, Drs. nice and attentive. I also live in Orange County, the drive is 1.5 hours each way, but all the drs you have to see are on campus in the same place, so thats convenient. Google "UCLA Pituitary Program" you'll find info and videos there.