Pituitary Tumors

What are Pituitary tumors?

Pituitary tumors refer to the abnormal growths that develop in the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland is a very small gland that is located at the back of brain and it helps regulate body’s balance of many hormones. These Pituitary tumors, at times, can result in too many hormones or very low levels of hormone production. Mostly, Pituitary tumors are benign (noncancerous) and they don’t spread to other parts of the body.

What causes Pituitary tumors?

The exact cause of Pituitary tumors is not known but it is believed that people with family history of some hereditary conditions, such as Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia and MEN 1 are at greater risk of Pituitary tumors.

What are the symptoms of Pituitary tumors?

The signs and symptoms of Pituitary tumors are:

• Headache
• Vision problems
• Irregular periods in females
• Impotence
• Infertility
• Production of breast milk without pregnancy
• Cushing’s syndrome
• Acromegaly
• Fatigue
• Nausea & vomiting
• Mood swings
• Irritation

How can Pituitary tumors be treated?

The various treatment options for Pituitary tumors include:

• Surgery – Endoscopic transnasaltranssphenoidal approach, transcranial approach
• Radiation therapy
• Medications
• Replacement of pituitary hormones