The pituitary (3rd ed)

The pituitary, albeit a small gland, is known as the "master gland" of the endocrine system and contributes to a wide spectrum of disorders, diseases, and syndromes.

Since the publication of the second edition of The Pituitary, in 2002, there have been major advances in the molecular biology research of pituitary hormone production and action and there is now a better understanding of the pathogenesis of pituitary tumors and clinical syndromes resulting in perturbation of pituitary function.

There have also been major advances in the clinical management of pituitary disorders.

Medical researchers and practitioners now better understand the morbidity and mortality associated with pituitary hormone hyposecretion and hypersecretion.

Newly developed drugs, and improved methods of delivering established drugs, are allowing better medical management of acromegaly and prolactinoma.

These developments have improved the worldwide consensus around the definition of a "cure" for pituitary disease, especially hormone hypersecretion, and hence will improve the success or lack of success of various forms of therapy.

It is therefore time for a new edition of The Pituitary. The third edition will continue to be divided into sections that summarize normal hypothalamic-pituitary development and function, hypothalamic-pituitary failure, and pituitary tumors; additional sections will describe pituitary disease in systemic disorders and diagnostic procedures, including imaging, assessment of the eyes, and biochemical testing.

The first chapter will be completely new - placing a much greater emphasis on physiology and pathogenesis.

Two new chapters will be added on the Radiation and Non-surgical Management of the Pituitary and Other Pituitary Lesions.

Other chapters will be completely updated and many new author teams will be invited.

The second edition published in 2002 and there have been incredible changes in both the research and clinical aspects of the pituitary over the past 8 years - from new advances in growth hormones to pituitary tumor therapy.