What is a pituitary tumor?
The pituitary gland is located at the base of your brain. It is about the size of a pea and shaped like a bean. It produces several hormones that control certain body functions, such as growth, sexual and reproductive function, metabolism, and response to stress.
A tumor can form in your pituitary gland. Typically, it is benign and will not lead to cancer. This is known as a pituitary adenoma. It is rare to have a pituitary carcinoma, which is cancerous.
Symptoms of a pituitary tumor
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), up to 20% of people have pituitary tumors. Only 1/3 of them have symptoms or health problems. Most pituitary tumors occur in adults.
Common symptoms can include:
- Headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fatigue
- Mood changes
- Changes in vision
- Changes in menstrual cycle
You can have a range of problems from the hormonal imbalance caused by the tumor. A functioning tumor is overactive. The pituitary gland produces too much of one or more hormones. A nonfunctioning tumor is underactive. The pituitary gland slows or stops certain hormone production.
Pituitary tumors can lead to other health conditions depending on which hormones are affected. The most affected hormones (too much or too little) include:
- Growth hormone
- Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
- Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
- Prolactin
- Gonadotropins
What causes a pituitary tumor?
A pituitary tumor forms from an abnormal growth of cells. This can be caused by genetic and/or hormonal defects.
How is a pituitary tumor diagnosed?
Your doctor will do a physical exam and review your health history. They also can perform a variety of tests.
- Eye test: Checks your vision for any changes.
- Neurological test: Checks your body function, reflexes, and more.
- Blood or urine test: Checks your hormone levels.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): Gets an image of your brain using radio waves.
- Computed tomography (CT) scan: Gets an image of your brain using X-rays.
- Biopsy: Checks for cancer by removing a sample of cells from your pituitary gland.
Can a pituitary tumor be prevented or avoided?
You cannot prevent or avoid having a pituitary tumor.
Pituitary tumor treatment
There are several kinds of treatment for pituitary tumors. Ask your doctor which one is best for you. It will depend on your type of tumor and which hormones it affects.
- Medicine to balance your hormone levels.
- Surgery to remove the tumor.
- Radiation therapy to kill the tumor cells using X-rays.
- Chemotherapy to kill the tumor cells using medicine. This can be in the form of pills or injection.
Living with a pituitary tumor
Treatment often cures a pituitary tumor. You may need treatment more than once if it returns. You may have lasting effects that also require treatment. This will depend on your symptoms and when the tumor is found.
Questions to ask your doctor
- Will my pituitary tumor cause other health problems?
- What is the best type of treatment for me?
- Will my tumor or the treatment affect my ability to conceive a baby?
- What are the chances of getting another tumor once the first one is removed?
Resources
American Society of Clinical Oncology, Pituitary Gland Tumor
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Pituitary Tumors
