Craniotomy
An operation that temporarily removes part of the skull to access tissue underneath. It's used to treat tumors, infections, aneurysms, vascular malformations, epilepsy, seizure disorders, strokes or other brain related injuries.
One tiny gland with the power to affect your whole body
The pituitary gland can be the site of several types of tumors. Most pituitary tumors are benign (not cancerous), but as they grow, these tumors can cause problems.
The pituitary gland is a hormone-producing organ located at the base of the brain. Its job is to regulate the hormone output of other glands, such as the thyroid.
Even when pituitary tumors are not cancerous (most are not), they can cause problems such as hormone imbalances, headaches and—if they press on the optic nerve— changes to your vision. In many cases, though, there are no symptoms.
Physicians do not know what causes most pituitary tumors, although some are the result of a genetic disorder called multiple endocrine neoplasia I (MEN I).
Your pituitary gland secretes important hormones including:
Pituitary tumors may cause you to have too much or too little of these hormones. This can result in conditions such as:
This condition is the result of having too much growth hormone as an adult. Symptoms include growths in the hands, feet, jaw and other tissues, along with a deepened voice and joint pain.
This condition, which is one form of Cushing’s syndrome, results from having too much adrenocorticotropic hormone. Symptoms include upper-body obesity, purple marks on the skin and thinning of the bones.
If a tumor produces too much growth hormone when you are a child, you may experience quick growth, extreme height and joint pain.
In this condition an oversupply of thyroid hormone causes symptoms such as a rapid heart rate, fatigue and nervousness. Pituitary tumors causing hyperthyroidism are extremely rare.
In women, symptoms of excess prolactin production include irregular or absent menstrual cycles and the onset of breast milk production. Men may experience loss of libido, fatigue and decreased muscle strength.
The pituitary gland is a hormone-producing organ located at the base of the brain. Its job is to regulate the hormone output of other glands, such as the thyroid.
Even when pituitary tumors are not cancerous (most are not), they can cause problems such as hormone imbalances, headaches and—if they press on the optic nerve— changes to your vision. In many cases, though, there are no symptoms.
Physicians do not know what causes most pituitary tumors, although some are the result of a genetic disorder called multiple endocrine neoplasia I (MEN I).
Your pituitary gland secretes important hormones including:
Pituitary tumors may cause you to have too much or too little of these hormones. This can result in conditions such as:
This condition is the result of having too much growth hormone as an adult. Symptoms include growths in the hands, feet, jaw and other tissues, along with a deepened voice and joint pain.
This condition, which is one form of Cushing’s syndrome, results from having too much adrenocorticotropic hormone. Symptoms include upper-body obesity, purple marks on the skin and thinning of the bones.
If a tumor produces too much growth hormone when you are a child, you may experience quick growth, extreme height and joint pain.
In this condition an oversupply of thyroid hormone causes symptoms such as a rapid heart rate, fatigue and nervousness. Pituitary tumors causing hyperthyroidism are extremely rare.
In women, symptoms of excess prolactin production include irregular or absent menstrual cycles and the onset of breast milk production. Men may experience loss of libido, fatigue and decreased muscle strength.
Fortunately, when a pituitary tumor is found early, the prognosis is typically excellent. Treatment for pituitary tumors can relieve hormonal imbalances and help you avoid health complications. Options for treating pituitary tumors include:
Medicines can be helpful for certain types of pituitary tumors. For example, bromocriptine and cabergoline may shrink tumors that secrete prolactin (prolactinomas). For prolactinomas, the most common type of pituitary tumor, this type of medicine is so effective that surgery is usually not necessary. Medicines can also work for tumors that secrete other hormones, such as growth hormone and corticotropin.
This treatment uses high-dose X-rays to kill tumor cells when surgery is not possible or has not completely removed a tumor. It is also an option when a tumor has returned after surgery. A typical radiation schedule involves five treatments a week, with each session lasting 15 to 30 minutes. Treatment is performed by a radiation oncologist and generally continues for four to six weeks. Radiosurgery techniques, such as Gamma Knife and proton beam therapy, can target tumors in a precise manner.
In many cases, surgical removal of the tumor is possible. There are two main types of surgery to remove a pituitary tumor:
This is the most common operation for pituitary tumors and involves taking the growth out through the hollow space behind the nasal passages. A neurosurgeon makes an incision along the nasal septum (cartilage that separates the two sides of the nose) or under the upper lip. This procedure leaves no scar and can allow removal of most tumors. However, it does not work as well for tumors that are large or that have grown into nearby tissues.
For larger tumors, or those that have grown into nearby tissues, a craniotomy offers a clearer view of nerves and blood vessels. This surgery involves making an opening in the skull and working beneath the lobes of the brain.
Fortunately, when a pituitary tumor is found early, the prognosis is typically excellent. Treatment for pituitary tumors can relieve hormonal imbalances and help you avoid health complications. Options for treating pituitary tumors include:
Medicines can be helpful for certain types of pituitary tumors. For example, bromocriptine and cabergoline may shrink tumors that secrete prolactin (prolactinomas). For prolactinomas, the most common type of pituitary tumor, this type of medicine is so effective that surgery is usually not necessary. Medicines can also work for tumors that secrete other hormones, such as growth hormone and corticotropin.
This treatment uses high-dose X-rays to kill tumor cells when surgery is not possible or has not completely removed a tumor. It is also an option when a tumor has returned after surgery. A typical radiation schedule involves five treatments a week, with each session lasting 15 to 30 minutes. Treatment is performed by a radiation oncologist and generally continues for four to six weeks. Radiosurgery techniques, such as Gamma Knife and proton beam therapy, can target tumors in a precise manner.
In many cases, surgical removal of the tumor is possible. There are two main types of surgery to remove a pituitary tumor:
This is the most common operation for pituitary tumors and involves taking the growth out through the hollow space behind the nasal passages. A neurosurgeon makes an incision along the nasal septum (cartilage that separates the two sides of the nose) or under the upper lip. This procedure leaves no scar and can allow removal of most tumors. However, it does not work as well for tumors that are large or that have grown into nearby tissues.
For larger tumors, or those that have grown into nearby tissues, a craniotomy offers a clearer view of nerves and blood vessels. This surgery involves making an opening in the skull and working beneath the lobes of the brain.
Your opinion about this website is important to us. Would you be willing to answer a few questions to help us evaluate and improve our website?