A pituitary tumor is an abnormal, uncontrolled cell growth in your pituitary gland. These tumors can cause the pituitary gland to produce either too much hormone, or too little. This change in hormone levels can cause a wide range of symptoms.
The pituitary gland is a small gland at the base of your brain, behind your nose. It influences almost every function of your body by controlling the release of most of the body’s hormones, which it also produces. These hormones regulate growth, blood pressure, reproduction, and many other bodily functions.
No, most of them are benign (not cancerous), and do not spread to other parts of your body. They tend to grow very slowly.
They are the fourth most common type of brain tumor, and the most common disease affecting the pituitary gland. They are most common in people in their 30s or 40s, but can occur in children.
The cause is unknown. However, a small percentage of cases tend to occur in families. This suggests that genetic changes can influence how they develop.
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Sometimes there are no symptoms. If you have symptoms, they are generally caused by too much or too little production of one or more hormones. Symptoms can also be caused by compression of the tumor on surrounding structures. Symptoms vary widely and depend on which hormone is over- or under-producing.
The symptoms that each hormone can cause include:
Symptoms depend on age. In children, increased growth hormone can cause gigantism, causing extra height and a large body. Low levels of growth hormone can cause children to have delayed growth, weak bones and muscles, irritability, and a generally sick feeling.
In adults, excess growth hormone can cause:
Changes in the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) can cause too much or too little active thyroid hormone, resulting in these symptoms:
Too much prolactin can cause:
Insufficient prolactin can prevent a woman from breastfeeding her newborn.
Too much adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) can cause:
Too little ACTH can cause:
FSH and LH are gonadotropin hormones. They’re rarely high enough to cause symptoms, but in rare cases they can cause infertility. Women may have irregular menstrual cycles; men may have erectile dysfunction.
Yes, if the tumor is pressing on your optic nerves or the nerves that control eye movements, it can cause:
Tests can be performed to diagnose pituitary tumors, depending on your symptoms, age, general health, and the type of tumor you have.
Diagnostic tests include:
Treatment of pituitary tumors is determined by test results, and by the type and stage of tumor, your overall health, and your treatment preferences. Be sure you understand all your treatment options, and what to expect during treatment. Your treatment should also include medications for discomfort and side effects.
A team of several types of doctors, called a multidisciplinary team, is often involved in treating pituitary tumors. Your treatment team will likely be led by an endocrinologist -- a specialist in gland problems and the body’s endocrine system. If you’re having vision problems, an ophthalmologist will be on your team. If surgery is needed, a neurosurgeon will be included.
Options for treatment can include:
Treatment for aggressive pituitary tumors, or those that have spread to nearby tissue (called locally invasive), or to other parts of the body (called metastatic cancerous tumor) are more likely to benefit from radiation therapy.
Yes, it can recur in the same place, a nearby area, or rarely, in a distant place. If this happens, it will need to be re-evaluated and retested.
Being diagnosed with a pituitary tumor can be an emotional and frightening experience. You’ll need the best care from highly trained specialists. Call Inland Endocrine today for an appointment with our specialists.
Medically reviewed by:
Dr. Seigel is a board certified Endocrinologist. He completed his residency in internal medicine and fellowship in endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism at the University Of Pittsburgh Medical Center in 2011 and 2013.
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