Pituitary Tumors
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Pituitary tumors are abnormal growths found in the
pituitary gland, a small organ--about the size of a dime and located
in the center of the brain--which makes hormones that affect growth
and the functions of other glands in the body. Most pituitary tumors
are benign, which means they are non-cancerous, grow slowly and do
not spread to other parts of the body. A pituitary tumor may make
the pituitary gland produce too many hormones, which can cause other
problems in the body. Tumors that make hormones are called
functioning tumors, while those that do not make hormones are called
non-functioning tumors. Certain pituitary tumors cause Cushingfs
disease in which fat builds up in the face, back and chest, and the
arms and legs to become very thin. Other pituitary tumors can cause
acromegaly, a condition in which the hands, feet and face are larger
than normal. Another type of tumor can cause breasts to make milk
even though there is no pregnancy. Symptoms of pituitary tumors may
include headaches, vision problems, nausea and vomiting, or any of
the problems caused by the production of too many hormones such as
infertility or loss of menstrual periods in women, abnormal growth,
high blood pressure, heat or cold intolerance, and other skin and
body changes.
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Pituitary tumors are best treated when they are
found and diagnosed early. Treatments for pituitary tumors include
surgical removal of the tumor; radiation therapy, using high-doses
of x-rays to kill tumor cells; and/or drug therapy, using certain
medications to block the pituitary gland from producing too many
hormones. The most common treatment is surgery.
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Although prognosis depends on the type of
pituitary tumor and the patientfs age and general state of health,
pituitary tumors are usually curable.
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The NINDS supports and conducts a broad range of
biomedical research on brain tumors, including pituitary tumors.
Much of this research is aimed at discovering the cause(s) of brain
tumors, finding better treatments, and ultimately preventing and
curing them.
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American Brain Tumor Association
(ABTA)
Brain Tumor Society
National Brain Tumor Foundation (NBTF)
Pituitary Network Association
National Institute of Child Health and
Human Development (NICHD) National Institutes of Health, DHHS
National Institute of
Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
National Institutes of Health, DHHS
International Radiosurgery Support Association
(IRSA)
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Acromegaly
