Choose a topic to read
Pituitary Tumor
A pituitary tumor is an abnormal growth developing in the pituitary gland. It is normally noncancerous growth and rarely spreads to other body parts. The occurrence of pituitary tumors affects several hormones that are important to many functions of the body. The treatment may include removal surgery, medications controlling the hormone level, or a wait-to-see approach.
Symptoms of a pituitary tumor
Signs and symptoms of pituitary tumors are according to the affected hormones. They also depend on the size and pressure of the tumor on other structures. Tumors with a size of 1 centimeter are considered large pituitary tumors called macroadenomas. Other smaller tumors are called microadenomas.
As a result of tumor pressure, patients may have headaches and vision loss, especially the loss of peripheral vision. The development of pituitary tumors can cause hormone-related symptoms including:
- Overproduction of hormone
- Hormonal deficiency
- Adrenocorticotropic hormone-secreting (ACTH) tumors
People with ACTH tumors may experience Cushing’s syndrome which may cause:
- Fat accumulation around the midsection and upper back
- Facial roundness
- Muscle weakness
- Thin arms and legs
- High blood sugar
- High blood pressure
- Acne
- Weakened bone
- Bruising
- Stretch marks
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Depression
Growth hormone-secreting tumors
Pituitary tumors can increase growth hormone that may cause:
- Coarsened facial features
- Enlarged hands and feet
- Increasing of sweating
- High blood sugar
- High blood pressure
- Heart problems
- Joint pain
- Misaligned teeth
- Increasing body hair
Prolactin secreting tumors
Women with this condition may experience:
- In common menstrual periods
- Lack of menstrual periods
- Discharge of milk from the breast
Men with this condition may experience:
- Decreased amount of sperm count
- Loss of sex drive
- Erectile dysfunction
- Breast growth
-
Thyroid-stimulating hormone-secreting tumors
Pituitary tumors may cause an overproduction of thyroid-stimulating hormones causing hyperthyroidism or overactive thyroid disease that may lead to:
-
Loss of weight
-
Irregular or rapid heartbeat
-
Nervousness
-
Irritability
-
Frequent bowel movements
-
Increasing of sweating
When to see a doctor
You may see a doctor if you have found any of the signs and symptoms mentioned above. You are also advised to consult the doctor if your family is involved with endocrine neoplasia, type 1 (MEN1).
Causes
Pituitary tumors are caused by uncontrollable growth of cells forming a tumor in the pituitary gland. The reason for this abnormal growth is still unclear but it was found that genetic alterations may relate to the development of pituitary tumors.
Risk factors
Multiple endocrine neoplasia, type 1 (MEN1) is one of the hereditary conditions that can increase the risk of pituitary tumors since the tumors may occur in several glands of the endocrine system.
Complications
Even though pituitary tumors seldom grow or spread to other parts of the body, it may lead to vision loss or permanent hormone deficiency in some cases.
Diagnosis
Since the symptoms of pituitary tumors are similar to other conditions, it is often undiagnosed and may be found in the tests for other conditions. However, to diagnose a pituitary tumor, the doctor may conduct some conduct a physical exam and several tests including:
- Blood and urine test: to measure the level of hormones
- Brain imaging: such as a CT scan or MRI, to explore the location, and size of the tumor
- Vision testing: to determine the effect of the tumor on your eye vision
Treatment
The treatment for pituitary tumor depends on its type, size, and growth. The doctor also considers your age and other conditions of individuals. Some people with pituitary tumors that are not causing signs or symptoms may not need any treatment. They may be required to have a wait-to-see approach including regular follow-up tests to monitor the growth of the tumor.
However, the doctor may consider some treatment for people with pituitary tumors that cause some symptoms. The choices of treatment may include:
Removal surgery
In case the tumor affects the production of hormones or presses on the optic nerve, the doctor may recommend surgical removal of a pituitary tumor. There are two main techniques of the removal surgery:
Endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal surgery
Transcranial approach (craniotomy)
If the tumor is large and more complicated, this technique allows the tumor to be removed through the upper part of your skull.
Radiation therapy
The aim of radiation therapy is to destroy the tumor by delivering high-powered beams of energy directly to the tumor. The doctor may use this treatment alone or after the surgery to increase the effectiveness of the treatment. There are several methods of radiation therapy including:
-
Stereotactic radiosurgery
-
External beam radiation
-
Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)
-
Proton beam therapy
Medication
The doctor may prescribe some medications to shrink some types of pituitary tumors or to control the level of hormones including:
- Prolactinomas or prolactin-secreting tumors
- Cushing syndrome ACTH-producing tumors
- Growth hormone-secreting tumors
Replacement of pituitary hormones
You may need to take replacement hormones to maintain and control the level of hormone if the tumor or the surgery decreases the production of the hormone. People who have radiation treatment might be also required to take the hormonal replacement.
Preparing for an appointment
Before your appointment, you are advised to be aware of restrictions prior the appointment and you may prepare some information including:
- your experienced symptoms
- your key personal information
- all medications you are taking
- questions that you want to ask the doctor
During the consulting, the doctor may ask some questions including information such as:
- the beginning of your symptoms
- whether your symptoms are continuous or occasional
- the severity of your symptoms
- whether anything improves or worsens your symptoms
- history of testing with medical images of the head area
