Pituitary Tumors

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).

Conditions Caused by Pituitary Tumors

Your pituitary gland secretes important hormones including:

  • Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
  • Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
  • Growth hormone (GH)
  • Luteinizing hormone (LH)
  • Prolactin

Pituitary tumors may cause you to have too much or too little of these hormones. This can result in conditions such as:

Acromegaly

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.

Cushing’s Disease

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.

Gigantism

If a tumor produces too much growth hormone when you are a child, you may experience quick growth, extreme height and joint pain.

Hyperthyroidism

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.

Prolactinoma

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.

Overview

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).

Conditions Caused by Pituitary Tumors

Your pituitary gland secretes important hormones including:

  • Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
  • Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
  • Growth hormone (GH)
  • Luteinizing hormone (LH)
  • Prolactin

Pituitary tumors may cause you to have too much or too little of these hormones. This can result in conditions such as:

Acromegaly

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.

Cushing’s Disease

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.

Gigantism

If a tumor produces too much growth hormone when you are a child, you may experience quick growth, extreme height and joint pain.

Hyperthyroidism

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.

Prolactinoma

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:

Medicine Therapy

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.

Radiation

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.

Surgery

In many cases, surgical removal of the tumor is possible. There are two main types of surgery to remove a pituitary tumor:

Transsphenoidal Surgery

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.

Craniotomy

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.

Treatment

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:

Medicine Therapy

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.

Radiation

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.

Surgery

In many cases, surgical removal of the tumor is possible. There are two main types of surgery to remove a pituitary tumor:

Transsphenoidal Surgery

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.

Craniotomy

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.

Patient Stories for Pituitary Tumors