Comprehensive Fertility Management After Pituitary Adenoma Surgery: Lessons from a Rural Japanese Case and Practical Review
<b>Background and Clinical Significance:</b> Pituitary adenomas, also termed pituitary neuroendocrine tumors, pose a significant risk of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) after surgical resection, with profound consequences for fertility and sexual function in young patients. <b>Case Presentation:</b> We present the case of a 29-year-old man from rural Japan who developed severe HH and azoospermia following two transsphenoidal resections for a large pituitary adenoma. Despite early engagement with neurosurgery teams, fertility management was delayed by the absence of on-site endocrinology expertise and limited local oncofertility resources. After comprehensive endocrine evaluation and counseling, the patient began combined human chorionic gonadotropin and recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone therapy, resulting in full recovery of sexual function and normalization of semen parameters, ultimately leading to spontaneous conception and the birth of a healthy child. Building on this real-world case, we provide a narrative review of current practical management strategies for HH after pituitary surgery, including the utility of hormone-stimulation tests, Japanese guideline-based subsidy systems, and best-practice approaches to hormonal replacement. <b>Conclusions:</b> This case underscores not only the necessity for early, interdisciplinary collaboration and preoperative counseling but also highlights a rare instance in which a patient with a benign tumor received care that did not address his fertility-related needs, emphasizing that such considerations should be integrated into preoperative counseling even for non-malignant conditions. Strengthening regional oncofertility networks and improving healthcare providers' awareness of fertility-preservation options remain essential for improving outcomes.
Authors
- Kosuke Kojo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6875-0874)
- Tatsuya Takayama (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3360-7688)
- San‐e Ishikawa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6961-2361)
- Takumi Kuramae
- Hiroyuki Nishiyama (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7423-596X)
- Daisuke Numahata
- Kaoru Yanagida (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5348-3603)
- Ayumi Nakazono
Institutions
- University of Tsukuba (JP)
- Jichi Medical University (JP)
- Tochigi Medical Center (JP)
- International University of Health and Welfare (JP)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Reports — Medical Cases Images and Videos
- Published
- 2025-08-15
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/reports8030144
- Primary Topic
- Pituitary Gland Disorders and Treatments
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00