Indications for hypophysectomy in diabetic retinopathy and cancer of the breast and prostate.

Hypophysectomy can be advised for diabetic patients whose vision is threatened by neovascular changes characterizing proliferative retinopathy. In the management of advancing breast cancer, hypophysectomy is recommended in postmenopausal (natural or induced) patients who have received two trials of hormonal therapy. We advocate wider application of hypophysectomy for advancing prostate cancer, where, when used in sequence after castration and administration of hormonal therapy, it will relieve pain and produce tumor regression in some patients unresponsive to other forms of treatment. Transsphenoidal cryohypophysectomy is a safe and effective means of pituitary ablation.