The Office of Research on Women's Health will convene a Family Hormonal Health Symposium. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Research on Women's Health (ORWH; the Pediatric and Reproductive Endocrinology Branch, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; the Department of Endocrinology, National Naval Medical Center; and the Pituitary Network Association are convening a symposium "Family Hormonal Health," on October 29, 2004, from 8:00 am — 6:00 pm in the Lipsett Amphitheater, (NIH Clinical Center — Bldg. 10) on the main campus of the NIH in Bethesda, Maryland.

Recent studies have shown that pituitary tumors are not rare and occur in nearly 20% of adults, worldwide. Although clinically significant, many of these tumors go undiagnosed for years. The abnormal hormone production caused by these tumors has severe and debilitating effects on growth, reproductive and sexual function, and neuroimmune function. The purpose of this symposium is to increase awareness and scientific understanding of the all-encompassing nature of pituitary disorders in order to increase earlier diagnosis, disseminate knowledge of state of the art treatments, and pique interest in novel scientific study of the pathophysiology of these disorders and their many ramifications.

The objectives of the conference are to describe the structure of the pituitary gland and its central importance in normal functioning and disease and to improve diagnostic skills for earlier detection of disease across the lifespan in men and women. It is critical to recognize that the neuroendocrine effects resulting from pituitary tumors not only mimic other conditions but also can have devastating effects on the patient's psychological state and psychosocial interactions. Current treatment options for pituitary tumors will be discussed and appropriate interventions recommended. It is hoped that researchers will be stimulated to develop testable hypotheses to further continued scientific investigation in the understanding of pituitary disorders.

Structured as a one-day, interactive meeting, the symposium will be co-chaired by Dr. Ian McCutcheon, M.D., Profesor of Neursurgery, University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and Edward Oldfield, M.D., Chief, Surgical Neurology Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

Opening remarks will be given by Vivian W. Pinn, M.D., Associate Director for Research on Women's Health, Director, Office of Research on Women's Health, NIH who will provide an introduction and welcome; Yvonne Maddox, Ph.D., Deputy Director, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development who will speak on Family Hormonal Health: The Broader Picture; and Captain Mohamed K. Shakir, M.D., FACP, FRCP, Director, Department of Endocrinology, National Naval Medical Center and Professor of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences will speak on Hormonal disease in healthy people. A detailed Agenda may be accessed at www.orwhsymposium.com.

Attendance at this symposium is open to the public. No registration fee is required but pre-registration should be made by registering on-line at www.orwhsymposium.com.

Continuing Medical Education is available for this symposium. Sign language interpretation will be provided.