Hector Ó hEochagáin opens up about ‘frightening’ brain tumour surgery

The TG4 presenter underwent brain surgery to remove a pituitary tumour.

The TG4 presenter revealed that during the summer he underwent brain surgery to remove a pituitary tumour that he had lived with for 15 years.

The tumour is located at the base of the brain, with the pituitary gland playing a vital role in regulating hormones, metabolism and thyroid function.

It's something around one in ten will develop a pituitary tumour in their lifetime, however most of the time they are small, benign, and never cause symptoms or require removal.

Talking on RTÉ’s Brendan O’Connor Show, Hector explained his pituitary tumour was a 6mm growth which he had previously managed with injections.

He added that his adenoma was “quite rare”, affecting “one in every two or three million people”.

The tumour ended up needing removing because it “was just acting the maggot, doing certain things to the body. It was changing hormones, hormones that we need every day to function.

“It affects my bones, heart rate, metabolism, blood. Basically, it affects hidden things in the body. It’s a very powerful thing the pituitary gland."

Hector admitted he was frightened when discovering the intricacies of the procedure.

“It is when he [the medic] tells you he’s going up through the nose, and going to drill through to the scull ... It [the pituitary] is the size of a grape and I had a growth on the back of that grape the size of a sweetcorn."

He continued: “I hadn’t discussed it with anyone else. My family knew about it. My wife knew about it. But I just kept it private."

After months of recovering and "enjoying the great weather in Galway", the presenter is "feeling good", thanking his medical team.

The 57-year-old said he had received plenty messages of support.

"I’m getting emails from people all over the all over the country, and a few emails from America and Australia of people going, thanks for talking about pituitary surgery, Hector."

Speaking on how the experience has changed his midnset, he said: “My attitude has always been fairly positive. Surround yourself with good people. And don’t forget the talking.

“Share stories and swap conversations. And smile and get off the mobile phone, give hugs, be good and enjoy the sidelines of the football pitches.”