Patient Care Journey
Patient Journey & Continuum of Care
At UI Health, our Neuroendocrine Pituitary Tumor Program provides coordinated, compassionate, and expert care to patients facing neuroendocrine conditions and pituitary tumors.
We understand how overwhelming a diagnosis may be, so we’ve built a program that supports patients every step, from diagnosis to treatment and beyond.
Accessing the Program – Your Journey Begins Here
Pituitary tumors can present in many ways, and sometimes they’re discovered when you least expect it. Whether you come through the ER, a primary care provider, an ophthalmologist, or another specialist, UI Health is ready to help.
Patients may be referred by:
- Primary care for symptoms like headaches or fatigue
- Neurologists or ophthalmologists for sudden vision changes
- Endocrinologists for hormone-related issues
- ENT specialists for sinus-related concerns
- Dentists, especially in cases of acromegaly
- Emergency departments through incidental imaging
Initial diagnostic testing may include:
- MRI or CT scans with dedicated pituitary MRI preferred
- Blood, saliva, or urine hormone testing
- Evaluation for hypopituitarism with bloodwork taken in the morning to properly gauge hormone levels.
Your First Visit: What to Expect
Most patients can expect to be seen within 4–8 weeks, with urgent cases accommodated within 1 week. Your first visit is designed to be informative, collaborative, and reassuring.
During your first appointment, you’ll receive:
- A full diagnostic review
- An introduction to your care team
- A comprehensive education about your tumor type
- A personalized care plan discussion
Specialists you may meet at this stage:
- Endocrinologist
- Neurosurgeon
- Neuro-ophthalmologist (if vision is at risk)
- ENT specialist (if surgery is anticipated)
Multidisciplinary Care
Our program’s approach is built on teamwork. UI Health brings top specialists across various specialties together to deliver the most thorough and up-to-date treatment options.
Your care team may include:
- Endocrinology
- Neurosurgery
- ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat)
- Neurology
- Radiation Oncology
- Physical Therapy
- Neuroradiology & Neuropathology for additional support
Our program coordinates care through:
- Shared electronic medical records
- Staff messaging, EPIC chat, and emails
- Expedited scheduling and data collection
Treatment Paths & Follow-Up Care
Treatment is tailored to the individual and often includes a mix of therapies depending on tumor size, type, and hormone involvement.
Treatment options may include:
- Surgery: a potential first-line option for many tumors except prolactinomas.
- Medicatio: for hormone-producing tumors or lifelong replacement if hormone-deficient.
- Radiation Therapy: If surgery is not an option, or tumors recur.
- Active Ongoing Surveillance: for non-threatening and or inactive tumors.
Typical timeline from diagnosis to first treatment can range from 1–8 weeks, depending on the diagnosis, urgency, and treatment plan options.
Follow-Up Milestones may include:
- Endocrine blood testing: 1 week after surgery
- First post-surgery visit: 3–4 weeks
- Imaging follow-up: 3 months
- Ongoing hormone monitoring: 1 week and again at 4–6 weeks
- Long-term surveillance: Annual or lifelong, based on tumor type.
Education & Support: You Are Not Alone
We know a tumor diagnosis can be frightening, but our goal is to empower patients with knowledge, support, and clarity.
Our Promise to Patients:
- We explain the diagnosis and treatment options clearly.
- We answer your questions with honesty and empathy.
- We help you understand how this diagnosis affects your health today and in the future.
- We make sure you know you’re not alone; our team is with you every step of the way.
Patients tell us they feel most supported when:
- They learn their tumor is not cancerous.
- Their treatment plan is clearly explained.
- They understand how medications can shrink or control their tumor.
- They meet their surgical team and see how minimally invasive approaches work.
- They realize there's a whole team behind them, working together.
Why Choose UI Health?
Our Neuroendocrine & Pituitary Tumor Program is one of Chicagoland's most collaborative and comprehensive programs. Patients benefit from:
- A single institution with a cohesive and collaborative approach to care.
- Quick, coordinated scheduling.
- Expertise across both surgical and medical treatment options.
- A commitment to education, compassion, and excellence to deliver the best patient outcomes possible.
