Pituitary adenomas are common, slow-growing and benign tumors of the pituitary gland. Pituitary gland is the master hormone gland of our body located at the base of brain. It regulates the body’s hormones by releasing special hormones into the bloodstream. Facts about Pituitary adenomas
Can develop at any age
Up to 10% of people can have a pituitary adenoma by the time of their death
Most pituitary adenomas are in the front part (anterior lobe) of the pituitary gland
Tiny, microscopic pituitary adenomas never grow or cause problems and are accidently diagnosed when a patient undergoes a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the brain for another reason
Types of Pituitary adenomas
Pituitary adenomas are classified according to their size, aggressiveness and whether they produce hormones.
Classification according to size:
Micro adenoma: Pituitary tumor less than 10 mm in diameter in size
Macro adenoma: Pituitary tumor equal to or larger than 10 mm in size
Classification according to production of hormones:
Secreting or functioning or endocrine-active tumors: These tumors produce too much of any one of the hormones. Examples of functional adenomas include:
Prolactinoma, a tumor that overproduces prolactin
Acromegaly (adults) gigantism (child), caused by an excess growth hormone
Cushing's disease, caused by a pituitary tumor stimulating an overproduction of cortisol
Thyrotropinoma caused by excessive TSH hormone production
Non-secreting or non-functioning or endocrine-inactive pituitary tumors: These tumors produce more than one type of hormone but do not do not make extra hormone.
Classification according to aggressiveness of tumor
Benign (noncancerous): Nearly all pituitary adenomas are benign (noncancerous) and slow growing.
An atypical pituitary adenoma: It is a rarer type, grows more quickly and is more likely to recur.
Pituitary carcinomas (a malignant tumor): Pituitary carcinomas (a malignant tumor) spread to other parts of the body, and are extremely rare.
Cause of Pituitary adenomas
Pituitary adenomas are not known to be associated with any specific cause and occur spontaneously. They are not inherited but there are some cases of familial pituitary tumors. Following factors may increase the risk of pituitary adenoma:
Gigantism
Young onset of acromegaly
Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN 1)
Symptoms of Pituitary adenoma
The symptoms depend upon the size, nature and hormone production of tumor. It includes:
Headaches
Vision problems
Blurry vision
Colours not perceived as bright as usual
Menstrual cycle changes in women
Mood swings or behaviour changes
Erectile dysfunction
Weight change
Loss of body and facial hair
Infertility
Galactorrhoea
Reproductive dysfunction
Hypertension
Diabetes mellitus
Cardiovascular disease
Diagnosis of Pituitary adenoma:
Diagnosis requires any or all of the following:
Medical history
Physical findings
Blood and urine tests to measure hormone levels of PRL, GH, IGF-1, free thyroxine, cortisol, and testosterone (in males)
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