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A pituitary tumor is an abnormal growth in the pituitary gland, the part of the brain that regulates the body's balance of hormones.
Alternative NamesTumor - pituitary
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsMost pituitary tumors are noncancerous (benign). Up to 20% of people have pituitary tumors. However, many of these tumors do not cause symptoms and are never diagnosed during the person's lifetime.
The pituitary gland is a pea-sized endocrine gland located at the base of the brain. The pituitary helps control the release of hormones from other endocrine glands, such as the thyroid and adrenal glands. The pituitary also releases hormones that directly affect body tissues, such as bones and the breast's milk glands. These hormones include:
- Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
- Growth hormone (GH)
- Prolactin
- Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
As the tumor grows, hormone-releasing cells of the pituitary may be damaged, causing hypopituitarism.
The causes of pituitary tumors are unknown. However, some are part of a hereditary disorder called multiple endocrine neoplasia I (MEN I).
Other types of tumors that can be found in the same part of the head as a pituitary tumor:
- Craniopharyngiomas
- Cysts
- Germinomas
- Tumors that have spread from cancer in another part of the body (metastatic tumors)
Most pituitary tumors produce too much of one or more hormones. As a result, symptoms of one or more of the following conditions can occur:
Symptoms caused by pressure from a larger pituitary tumor may include:
- Headache
- Lethargy
- Nasal drainage
- Nausea and vomiting
- Problems with the sense of smell
- Visual changes
- Double vision
- Drooping eyelids
- Visual field loss
Rarely, these symptoms may occur suddenly and can be severe.
Signs and testsYour health care provider will perform a physical examination. The provider will note any problems with double vision and visual field, such as a loss of peripheral vision or the ability to see in certain areas.
Endocrine function tests include:
- Cortisol levels:
- Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels
- Insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels
- Luteinizing hormone (LH) levels
- Serum prolactin levels
- Testosterone/estradiol levels
- Thyroid hormone levels:
Tests that help confirm the diagnosis include the following:
TreatmentPituitary tumors are usually not cancerous and therefore won't spread to other areas of the body. However, as they grow, they may place pressure on important nerves and blood vessels.
Surgery to remove the tumor is often necessary, especially if the tumor is pressing on the optic nerves, which could cause blindness.
Most of the time, pituitary tumors can be removed through the nose and sinuses. However, some tumors cannot be removed this way and will need to be removed through the skull (transcranial).
Radiation therapy may be used to shrink the tumor, either in combination with surgery or for people who cannot have surgery.
The following medications may shrink certain types of tumors:
- Bromocriptine or cabergoline are the first-line therapy for tumors that release prolactin. These drugs decrease prolactin levels and shrink the tumor.
- Ocreotide or pegvisomant is sometimes used for tumors that release growth hormone, especially when surgery is unlikely to result in a cure.
The Pituitary Network Association -- www.pituitary.org
Expectations (prognosis)If the tumor can be surgically removed, the outlook is fair to good, depending upon whether the entire tumor is removed.
ComplicationsThe most serious complication is blindness. This can occur if the optic nerve is seriously damaged.
The tumor or its removal may cause permanent hormone imbalances. The affected hormones may need to be replaced.
Calling your health care providerCall your health care provider if you develop any symptoms of a pituitary tumor.
ReferencesMelmed S, Kleinberg D. Anterior pituitary. In: Kronenberg HM, Melmed S, Polonsky KS, Larsen PR. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:chap 8.
What else can I help you with?
What is the medical term meaning benign tumor of the pituitary?
Pituitary adenoma is a benign tumor of the pituitary.
What is the icd9 for pituitary tumor?
253.1
Which diseases or disorders affect your pituitary gland?
tumor
What is the treatment for vision loss due to pituitary tumor?
Some pituitary tumors stabilize without treatment, but a neurosurgeon will operate at once to remove the tumor (adenectomy) or pituitary gland (hypophysectomy ) of a patient whose vision is deteriorating rapidly.
What organs can an adenoma tumor grow from?
An adenoma tumor is a glandular tumor. It can therefore grow from the prostate, thyroid, pituitary glands and the adrenal glands among others. Although initially benign it can become malignant over time.
What other medicines are used to treat a pituitary tumor?
The main one is carbamazepine.
What is the frequent cause of oversecretion of human growth hormone?
The most frequent cause of oversecretion of human growth hormone is a benign tumor in the pituitary gland called pituitary adenoma. This tumor can lead to excessive production of growth hormone, resulting in a condition known as acromegaly.
How do you treat pituitary tumor?
Treatment options for pituitary tumors depend on the type, size, and symptoms associated with the tumor. Common approaches include medication to shrink the tumor or control hormone levels, surgery to remove the tumor, and radiation therapy. The specific treatment plan will be determined by a medical team based on individual circumstances.
What is the medical term meaning slow-growing benign tumor derived from cartilage cells?
The most common is a pituitary adenoma. This tumor can produce high levels of the hormone prolactin. They are fairly common, but rarely require surgery. They are actually found in about 15% of all autopsies..Common presentation in women is lack of menses or periods.Prolactinoma.Pituitary adenoma is a benign tumor of the pituitary.
When you have pituitary tumor but benign do you get pregnant?
Having a benign pituitary tumor does not directly impact your ability to become pregnant. However, depending on the size and location of the tumor, it may affect hormone production, which can in turn affect fertility. It is important to consult with a healthcare provider who can evaluate your specific situation and provide guidance.
You have prolactin levels of 700?
Then there is a chance that you have a tumor in your pituitary gland. You need further testing...
What bones would most likely be involved in surgery to remove a tumor on the pituitary gland?
The sphenoid bone would most likely be involved in surgery to remove a tumor on the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland sits in a bony structure called the sella turcica, which is part of the sphenoid bone at the base of the skull.
