Description

Pituitary tumors are unusual tumors that develop in the pituitary gland. This gland is an organ about the size of a pea. It's located behind the nose at the base of the brain. Some of these tumors can cause your pituitary gland to produce too much of certain hormones that control important functions of the body. Others can cause the pituitary gland to produce too little of these hormones.

The majority of these tumors are benign. That means they are not cancer. Another name for these benign tumors are adenomas of the pituitary gland. The majority of adenomas of the stay in the pituitary gland or in the surrounding tissue, and grow slowly. Usually do not spread to other parts of the body.

Tumors of the pituitary gland can be treated in several ways. The tumor can be removed with surgery. Or their growth can be controlled with medications or radiation therapy. Sometimes, the levels of hormones are administered with the medicine. Your doctor may suggest a combination of these treatments. In some cases, observation, also known as the "wait and see" approach may be the right choice.

Types of

Types of pituitary adenomas include:

  • Operation. These adenomas produce hormones. That cause different symptoms, depending on the type of hormones that are. The functioning of the pituitary adenomas are divided into several categories, including those who do: Adrenocorticotropic hormone.This hormone is also known as the ACTH. These tumors are sometimes called adenomas, corticotroph.The growth hormone.These tumors are called adenomas, somatotroph.Luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone.These hormones are also known as gonadotropins. Pituitary tumors that make hormones are called gonadotroph adenomas.Prolactin.These tumors are called prolactinomas or lactotroph adenomas.Thyroid-stimulating hormone.These tumors are called thyrotroph adenomas.
  • The adrenocorticotropic hormone. This hormone is also known as the ACTH. These tumors are sometimes called adenomas, corticotroph.
  • The growth hormone. These tumors are called adenomas, somatotroph.
  • Luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone. These hormones are also known as gonadotropins. Pituitary tumors that make hormones are called gonadotroph adenomas.
  • Prolactin. These tumors are called prolactinomas or lactotroph adenomas.
  • Thyroid-stimulating hormone. These tumors are called thyrotroph adenomas.
  • That does not work. These adenomas do not produce hormones. The symptoms they cause are related to the pressure of your growing puts you in the pituitary gland, close to the nerves and the brain.
  • Macroadenomas. These are larger adenomas. They measure about 1 inch or more. That is a little less than half an inch. You can be working or not working.
  • Microadenomas. These adenomas are smaller. Measuring less than 1 cm. That is a little less than half an inch. You can be working or not working.
  • The adrenocorticotropic hormone. This hormone is also known as the ACTH. These tumors are sometimes called adenomas, corticotroph.
  • The growth hormone. These tumors are called adenomas, somatotroph.
  • Luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone. These hormones are also known as gonadotropins. Pituitary tumors that make hormones are called gonadotroph adenomas.
  • Prolactin. These tumors are called prolactinomas or lactotroph adenomas.
  • Thyroid-stimulating hormone. These tumors are called thyrotroph adenomas.

Pituitary tumors are different from the pituitary gland cysts. A cyst is a sac that may be filled with air, fluid or other material. A tumor is an unusual mass of cells that can grow with the time. Cysts may form in or near the pituitary gland, but are not tumors or adenomas.

Symptoms

Not all pituitary tumors cause symptoms. Sometimes these tumors are found during an imaging test, such as magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography, which is done for another reason. If you do not cause symptoms, pituitary tumors usually do not need treatment.

Pituitary gland Tumor symptoms can be caused by a tumor putting pressure on the brain or in other parts of the body nearby. The symptoms can also be caused by a hormonal imbalance. Hormone levels may increase when a tumor of the pituitary gland produces too much of one or more hormones. Or a large tumor, which alters the way in which it works with the pituitary gland can cause levels of the hormone for the fall.

The symptoms of tumor of pressure

Macroadenomas may put pressure on the pituitary gland, in the nerves, in the brain and in other parts of the body nearby. That can cause symptoms such as:

  • The pain of a headache.
  • Eye problems due to pressure on the optic nerve, especially the loss of side vision, also called peripheral vision, and double vision.
  • Pain in the face, sometimes including sinus pain and ear pain.
  • The drooping eyelid.
  • Seizures.
  • Nausea and vomiting.

The symptoms of hormonal changes

Low amounts of hormones

Macroadenomas may limit the pituitary gland, the ability to produce hormones. When that happens, symptoms can include:

  • Tiredness or weakness.
  • The lack of energy.
  • Sexual problems, such as problems with erection and less interest in sex.
  • Changes in the menstrual cycles.
  • Nausea.
  • Feeling cold.
  • Winning or losing weight without trying.

High amounts of hormones

The functioning of the pituitary adenomas typically make a large amount of a hormone. Exposing the body to high levels of that hormone. Rarely, a pituitary adenoma can make more of a hormone. The following types of functioning pituitary adenomas cause different symptoms, depending on the hormones that do.

Pituitary tumors that make adrenocorticotropic hormone

Pituitary tumors that make adrenocorticotropic hormone are called adenomas, corticotroph. The adrenocorticotropic hormone, also called ACTH , causing the adrenal glands to produce the hormone cortisol. ACTH trigger tumors of the adrenal glands to produce too much cortisol. This causes a condition called Cushing's disease. Cushing's disease is one of the causes of Cushing's syndrome.

The symptoms of Cushing's disease include:

  • Weight gain and fatty tissue deposits around the midsection and upper back.
  • Round face.
  • Stretch marks.
  • Thin skin that bruises easily.
  • The thinning of the arms and legs with muscle weakness.
  • Thicker or more visible body hair.
  • Slow healing of cuts, insect bites and infections.
  • The dark areas of the skin.
  • Acne.
  • Changes in the menstrual cycles.
  • Sexual problems, including problems with erection and less interest in sex.

Pituitary tumors that make growth hormone

Pituitary tumors that make the growth hormone is also called the growth hormone-secreting tumors or adenomas, somatotroph. Excess of growth hormone leads to a condition known as acromegaly. Acromegaly can cause:

  • Changes in facial features, including the largest, the lips, the nose and the tongue; the greater length of the lower jaw; and wide spaces between teeth.
  • The growth of hands and feet.
  • The thicker skin.
  • More sweat and body odor.
  • Pain in the joints.
  • A deep voice.

Children and adolescents who have an excess of growth hormone could also grow faster or taller than usual. This condition is called gigantism.

Pituitary tumors that make the luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone

Luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) are also known as gonadotropins. Pituitary tumors that make hormones are called gonadotroph adenomas.

It is rare that these adenomas to make too many hormones, which then trigger the symptoms. In contrast, the symptoms of these adenomas usually due to a tumor of pressure. If the symptoms occur due to an excess of LH and FSH , which affect women and men differently.

Symptoms in women may include:

  • Changes in the menstrual cycles.
  • Fertility problems.
  • Enlargement and pain in the ovaries due to a condition called ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.

Symptoms in men may include:

  • Enlargement of the testes.
  • High levels of testosterone.

Pituitary tumors that produce prolactin,

These adenomas are called prolactinomas. Too much of the hormone prolactin can lead to a decrease in the body's levels of the sex hormones estrogen and testosterone. Too much prolactin affects men and women differently.

In women, excess prolactin can cause:

  • Irregular menstrual cycles.
  • The lack of menstrual cycles.
  • Milky discharge from the breasts.
  • Tenderness in the breasts.
  • Problems with fertility.
  • Less interest in sex.

In men, excess prolactin can cause a condition called male hypogonadism. Symptoms may include:

  • Problems with erections.
  • Less interest in sex.
  • The growth of the breasts.
  • Problems with fertility.
  • Less facial and body hair.

Pituitary tumors that make thyroid-stimulating hormone

Pituitary tumors that do-stimulating hormone of the thyroid are called thyrotroph adenomas. It can also be referred to as thyroid-stimulating hormone-secreting tumors. That causes the thyroid gland to make too much of the hormone thyroxine, also called T-4. Which leads to a condition called hyperthyroidism, also known as the hyperactivity of the thyroid. Hyperthyroidism can accelerate the metabolism of the body, causing many of the symptoms. Some of the most common include:

  • The loss of weight.
  • Rapid or irregular heartbeat.
  • Nervousness, anxiety, or irritability.
  • Frequent bowel movements.
  • Sweating.
  • The tremor.
  • Sleep problems.

When to see a doctor

If you develop symptoms that may be associated with a tumor of the pituitary gland, consult your health care provider. The treatment for tumors of the pituitary gland can often bring hormones back to a healthy level and relieve the symptoms.

Although it is rare, some pituitary tumors are hereditary. That means they run in families. In particular, the disorder hereditary multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN 1) can cause tumors in the pituitary. If MEN 1 runs in your family, talk with your health care provider about the tests that can help you to find a tumor of the pituitary gland early on.

Causes

The pituitary gland is a small organ about the size of a pea. It's located behind the nose at the base of the brain. Despite its small size, the pituitary gland has an effect on almost every part of the body. The hormones it makes control of the important functions of the body, such as growth, blood pressure and reproduction.

The cause of the uncontrolled growth of cells in the pituitary gland, which creates a tumor, remains unknown. In rare cases, tumors of the pituitary gland can be caused by genes that we have inherited. But the majority do not have a clear cause hereditary. Even so, scientists believe that changes in genes may play an important role in how the pituitary tumors develop.

Risk factors

The majority of people who receive the pituitary tumors do not have any factors that put them at greater risk of developing these tumors. Environment and lifestyle choices don't seem to have an effect on a person's risk of tumors of the pituitary gland.

Although the genetics seems to play a role, most of the people who have pituitary tumors do not have a family history of them.

The only known risk factors include several rare hereditary conditions that increase the risk of many health problems, including tumors of the pituitary gland. These conditions include:

  • Multiple endocrine Neoplasia type 1, also called of MEN 1.
  • Multiple endocrine Neoplasia type 4, also called MEN 4.
  • Carney complex.
  • McCune-Albright syndrome.

Complications

Pituitary tumors usually do not spread to other parts of the body. Can affect the health of a person, however. Pituitary tumors may cause:

  • Vision problems, including vision loss.
  • The high blood pressure.
  • High sugar in the blood.
  • The loss of bone.
  • The problems of the heart.
  • Problems with thinking and memory.

Seizures

If a tumor of the pituitary gland presses on a part of the brain called the medial temporal lobe, which can lead to an attack. This type of attack is known as a focal seizure with impaired consciousness. These attacks involve a change or loss of consciousness or awareness. If you have one of these attacks, which may seem to be awake. But you stare into space and not respond as you would normally do to the environment around them. You may not remember the seizure after that to happen.

Permanent low levels of the hormone

Have a tumor of the pituitary gland or have a removed with surgery can permanently change your body of the hormone supply. As a result, you may need hormone replacement therapy for the rest of your life.

Pituitary apoplexy

A rare but potentially serious complication of a tumor of the pituitary gland is the pituitary apoplexy. This happens when there's a sudden bleeding in the tumor. The symptoms include:

  • A severe headache, probably worse than you've ever had before.
  • Problems with your vision, including double vision or loss of vision in one or both eyes.
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • Confusion or other reduction of the mental function.

Pituitary apoplexy requires emergency treatment. Treatment usually involves taking a corticosteroid medicine to relieve swelling around the tumor. You may also need surgery to remove the tumor.

Diagnosis

Tumors of the pituitary gland often go unnoticed or are not detected. In many cases, this is because the symptoms caused by tumors of the pituitary gland to produce hormones, called the operation of the adenomas and tumors of large size, called macroadenomas, are similar to those of other medical conditions. Also, because they grow very slowly over time. Small tumors of the pituitary gland that does not produce hormones, called does not work microadenomas, often does not cause symptoms. If detected, it is usually because of an imaging test, such as an mri or a ct scan, which is done for another reason.

To detect and diagnose a tumor of the pituitary gland, your healthcare provider will probably talk with you about your personal and family medical history and perform a physical exam. The tests to detect a tumor of the pituitary gland may also include:

  • Blood tests.Blood tests can show if your body has too much or too little of certain hormones. For some hormones, the results of the blood tests that show too much of the hormone can be all that you need for your health care provider to diagnose a pituitary adenoma. For other hormones, such as cortisol, a result of the blood test that shows too much of the hormone can be followed by other tests. The tests can show if the previous result was caused by a pituitary adenoma, or by another health problem. The results show the levels of the hormone are too low need to be followed up with other tests, usually of the imaging tests, to see if a pituitary adenoma may be the cause of the results of the test.
  • Urine tests. A urine test that can be used to help diagnose a pituitary adenoma that is doing much of the hormone ACTH . Too much ACTH leading to an excess of cortisol in the body and causes Cushing's disease.
  • MRIscan. A magnetic resonance imaging scan is also called an mri, is a test that uses a magnetic field and computer-generated radio waves to create detailed images of the body's organs and tissues. An mri of the brain can help to detect a tumor of the pituitary gland and show its location and size.
  • CTscan. A computed tomography scan, also called a CT scan, is a type of imaging test that combines a series of X-rays to create cross-sectional images. Magnetic resonance imaging is used more often than CT to detect and diagnose tumors of the pituitary gland. But a ct scan may be useful in the planning of the surgery if your doctor tells you that a tumor of the pituitary gland must be removed.
  • The vision test. A tumor of the pituitary gland can affect the eye, especially the side view, which is also called peripheral vision. Test your eyes to see just how well you can see, you can help your doctor decide if other tests may be needed to detect a tumor of the pituitary gland.

Blood tests. Blood tests can show if your body has too much or too little of certain hormones. For some hormones, the results of the blood tests that show too much of the hormone can be all that you need for your health care provider to diagnose a pituitary adenoma.

For other hormones, such as cortisol, a result of the blood test that shows too much of the hormone can be followed by other tests. The tests can show if the previous result was caused by a pituitary adenoma, or by another health problem.

The results show the levels of the hormone are too low need to be followed up with other tests, usually of the imaging tests, to see if a pituitary adenoma may be the cause of the results of the test.

Your doctor may refer you to a specialist in disorders of the hormone, called an endocrinologist for further testing.

Treatment

Many of the adenomas of the pituitary gland does not need treatment. They are not cancer, so if they do not cause symptoms, simply watching over time can be a good approach. If treatment is necessary, the specific treatment depends on the tumor type, size, location, and growth over time. If a tumor is causing too much or too little of certain hormones in the body, which also affects the treatment. Your age and general health play a role in the planning of the treatment as well.

The goal of treatment is to:

  • Return hormone levels to a healthy range.
  • To avoid causing more damage to the pituitary gland and restore its normal function.
  • Reverse the symptoms caused by the tumor of pressure or prevent it from getting worse.

If a pituitary adenoma of the treatment needs, which may include surgery to remove the tumor. Medication or radiation therapy can also be used to treat a pituitary adenoma. The treatment requires a team of medical experts. The team may include a:

  • Brain surgeon, also called a neurosurgeon.
  • Nose and sinus surgeon, also called an ENT surgeon.
  • Hormonal disorder specialist, also called an endocrinologist.
  • Radiation therapy specialist, also called a radiation oncologist.

Surgery

Surgery to treat a tumor of the pituitary gland consists of the removal of the tumor. This is sometimes called a resection of the tumor. A surgeon may suggest surgery if a pituitary adenoma:

  • Press on the optic nerves and the limits of the view.
  • Other causes of the symptoms, such as headache or facial pain.
  • Reduces the levels of hormones in the body due to the pressure on the pituitary gland.
  • Makes the body produce too much of certain hormones.

Results after the surgery typically depend on the adenoma type, its size and location, and if the tumor has grown into the tissues around it.

Surgeries to remove a tumor of the pituitary gland include endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal surgery and craniotomy.

Endoscopic transnasal surgery transsphenoidal

This surgery is also called adenomectomy. It is the most common surgery used to remove a pituitary adenoma.

During the surgery, the surgeon — usually, a neurosurgeon of the association, with a nose and sinuses by the surgeon removes the adenoma through the nose and sinuses. The surgery does not require an external cut, also called an incision. Does not affect other parts of the brain. The surgery does not cause a scar that you can see.

Large macroadenomas can be difficult to remove with surgery. This is particularly true if a macroadenoma has been extended to close to the nerves, blood vessels, or other parts of the brain.

Transcranial surgery

This surgery is also called a craniotomy. It is used less often than in the endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal surgery for tumors of the pituitary gland. This surgery makes it easier to reach and remove large macroadenomas or in the pituitary gland, tumors that have spread to the nearby nerves or brain tissue. It also makes it easier for the surgeon to see the extent of the tumor, as well as in parts of the brain around it. During transcranial surgery, the surgeon removes the tumor through the top of the skull, through a cut in the scalp.

Endoscopic transnasal surgery transsphenoidal and transcranial surgery are generally safe procedures. Complications are rare. But as with any surgery, there are risks. Complications after tumor of the pituitary gland of the surgery can include:

  • The bleeding.
  • Infection.
  • The reaction to the medicine that puts you in a state similar to sleep during the surgery of This dream-as it is called anesthesia.
  • Temporary headache and nasal congestion.
  • The brain injury.
  • Double vision or loss of vision.
  • Damage to the pituitary gland.

Diabetes insipidus

The surgery to remove a tumor of the pituitary gland can cause damage to the pituitary gland. That may limit your ability to produce hormones, which leads to other medical problems such as diabetes insipidus. This condition occurs when the pituitary gland does not produce enough of the hormone vasopressin. The hormone is produced in the posterior part of the gland, an area called the posterior pituitary. Diabetes insipidus causes the fluids of the body to go out of balance, which causes the body to produce large amounts of urine. That can cause extreme thirst and increase the risk of dehydration. Diabetes insipidus after surgery to remove a tumor of the pituitary gland is usually short-term. Usually goes away without treatment in a few days. If the diabetes insipidus is hard more than that, the treatment with a manufactured form of vasopressin can be used. The condition usually goes away after several weeks or months.

If your health care provider suggests that surgery to treat a tumor of the pituitary gland, ask about where the surgery is right for you. Talk about the possible complications, risks and side effects. Ask what you can expect during your recovery.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy uses energy sources of radiation for the treatment of pituitary tumors. Radiation therapy may be used after surgery. Or you can use it alone if surgery is not an option.

Radiation therapy can be helpful if a tumour of the pituitary gland:

  • It is not completely removed with surgery.
  • Come back after the surgery.
  • The causes of the symptoms that the drugs do not heal.

The goal of radiation therapy for pituitary adenomas is the control of adenoma growth or to stop the adenoma producing hormones.

Methods of radiation therapy that can be used for the treatment of pituitary tumors are:

  • Stereotactic radiosurgery. Often delivered as a single high doses, this type of radiation therapy, precisely focused beams of radiation at the tumor. Although the word "surgery" in their name, without a cut in the skin is necessary. Offers beams of radiation, the size and shape of the tumor in the tumor with the help of brain-imaging techniques. This requires the fastening of a head frame in the skull. The frame is removed immediately after the treatment. Little radiation comes in contact with healthy tissue near the tumor. That reduces the risk of damaging healthy tissue.
  • External-beam radiation. This method is also called radiation therapy fractionated. It delivers radiation in small amounts over time. A series of treatments is usually carried out five times per week for 4 to 6 weeks.
  • Intensity-modulated radiation therapy. This type of radiation therapy, IMRT, using a computer that allows you to be in shape to surround the tumor from many angles. The strength of the beams may be limited. That decreases the risk of side effects in the healthy tissue.
  • The proton therapy. Other radiation option, proton therapy uses positively charged ions, called protons, to attack tumors. The proton beams stop after the release of their energy within the tumor. This means that the beams can be controlled target of a pituitary adenoma, with less risk of side effects in healthy tissues. This type of radiation therapy requires special equipment. It is not widely available.

The possible side effects and complications of radiation therapy for pituitary adenomas may include:

  • Damage to the pituitary gland, which limits its ability to produce hormones.
  • The damage to healthy tissue near the pituitary gland.
  • Changes in vision due to damage to the optic nerves.
  • Damage to other nerves near the pituitary gland.
  • A slightly higher risk of developing a brain tumor.

A radiation oncologist evaluates your condition and talk with you about the benefits and risks of radiation therapy for your situation. It usually takes months or years to see the maximum benefit of radiation therapy for pituitary adenomas. Side effects and complications of radiation therapy is usually not shown to the right at a distance. It is important to have regular long-term follow-up care to detect the hormone problems that can occur due to radiation therapy.

Drugs

Treatment with medications may be useful for the treatment of pituitary adenomas. Can help to reduce the amount of hormones that the body produces due to a tumor. Some medications can also reduce the size of certain types of tumors of the pituitary gland.

Pituitary tumors that produce prolactin,

The following medications are used to reduce the amount of prolactin, a pituitary adenoma causes. Also often you can reduce the size of the tumor.

  • The cabergoline.
  • Bromocriptine (Parlodel, Cycloset).

Possible side effects include:

  • The dizziness.
  • Mood disorders, like depression.
  • The pain of a headache.
  • The weakness.

Some people develop compulsive behaviors, such as problems with the game, while taking these medications. These behaviors is also called impulse control disorders.

Pituitary tumors that make adrenocorticotropic hormone

Tumors that make the adrenocorticotropic hormone, also called ACTH , causing the body to produce too much cortisol. This condition is known as Cushing's disease. The medications that can reduce the amount of cortisol in the body makes that are included:

  • Ketoconazole.
  • Metyrapone (Metopirone).
  • Osilodrostat (Isturisa).

Possible side effects of these medications include a heart problem that can lead to serious irregularities in the heart rhythm.

Another medicine called mifepristone (Korlym, Mifeprex) can be used by people with Cushing's disease who have type 2 diabetes or glucose intolerance. Mifepristone does not reduce the amount of cortisol in the body makes. Instead, it blocks the effects of cortisol on the body's tissues.

Side effects of mifepristone include:

  • Fatigue.
  • The weakness.
  • Nausea.
  • Heavy vaginal bleeding.

The drug pasireotide (Signifor) works by reducing the amount of ACTH by a pituitary adenoma causes. It is taken as a shot twice a day. Vendors tend to suggest pasireotide when surgery to remove an adenoma does not work. It can also be used when an adenoma cannot be removed with surgery.

Side effects of pasireotide include:

  • The diarrhea.
  • Nausea.
  • High sugar in the blood.
  • The pain of a headache.
  • Stomach pain.
  • Fatigue.

Pituitary tumors that make growth hormone

Two types of medications can treat tumors of the pituitary gland makes growth hormone. Providers often prescribe these medications when surgery to remove a pituitary adenoma has not worked to return the amount of growth hormone in the body to a healthy level.

  • Somatostatin analogs.This type of medication that reduces the amount of growth hormone that the body makes. It is also, in part, can reduce the size of a pituitary adenoma. Somatostatin analogs are: Octreotide (Sandostatin).Lanreotide (Somatuline Depot). These drugs are given by injection, usually every four weeks. A form of drug that can be taken in pill form, named Mycapssa, is also available. It works just like the shapes that are given as a shot and have similar side effects. Side effects of the somatostatin analogues include: Nausea and vomiting.The diarrhea.Stomach pain.The dizziness.The pain of a headache.Pain at the injection site.Gallstones.The worsening of the diabetes. Many of these side effects improve over time.
  • Octreotide (Sandostatin).
  • Lanreotide (Somatuline Depot).
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • The diarrhea.
  • Stomach pain.
  • The dizziness.
  • The pain of a headache.
  • Pain at the injection site.
  • Gallstones.
  • The worsening of the diabetes.
  • Pegvisomant (Somavert). This drug blocks the effect of excess growth hormone in the body. It is taken as an injection every day. This medicine may cause the damage effect in the liver in some people.

Somatostatin analogs. This type of medication that reduces the amount of growth hormone that the body makes. It is also, in part, can reduce the size of a pituitary adenoma. Somatostatin analogs are:

  • Octreotide (Sandostatin).
  • Lanreotide (Somatuline Depot).

These drugs are given by injection, usually every four weeks. A form of drug that can be taken in pill form, named Mycapssa, is also available. It works just like the shapes that are given as a shot and have similar side effects.

Side effects of somatostatin analogs are:

  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • The diarrhea.
  • Stomach pain.
  • The dizziness.
  • The pain of a headache.
  • Pain at the injection site.
  • Gallstones.
  • The worsening of the diabetes.

Many of these side effects improve over time.

Replacement of the hormone of the pituitary gland

The pituitary gland controls growth, thyroid function, adrenal function, reproductive function, and the water balance in the body. One or all of those who may be affected by a pituitary adenoma, or by their treatment with surgery or radiation. This is due to hormonal changes that can cause. If your hormones fall to unhealthy levels, you may need to take hormone replacement therapy. This can restore hormones to a healthy level.

Watchful waiting

In watchful waiting — also known as the observation, to the expectation of the therapy or deferred therapy that you may need regular follow-up tests to see if the tumor grows or if the hormone levels change. Watchful waiting may be an option for you if an adenoma is not causing any symptoms or trigger other health problems. Talk with your health care provider about the benefits and risks of expectant management versus treatment in your situation.

Coping and support

It is natural that you have questions on the diagnosis and treatment of a tumor of the pituitary gland. The process can be overwhelming and sometimes scary. That is why it is important to learn as much as you can about your condition. The more you know and understand about your care, the better.

You may find it helpful to share your feelings with other people who are in a situation such as yours. Check to see if the support groups for people with tumors of the pituitary gland are available in your area. Hospitals often sponsor these groups. Your doctor may be able to help you find the emotional support you need.

Preparing for your appointment

It is likely to start by seeing your primary care provider. If your doctor thinks you might have a tumor of the pituitary gland, the next step can be to appointments with specialists. Specialists may include a nose, and sinus surgeon, a surgeon of the brain — also called a neurosurgeon or an endocrinologist — a doctor who specializes in disorders of the hormone.

Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment.

What you can do

When you make the appointment, ask if there is something that you need to do in advance, such as not eating before having a specific test. Make a list of:

  • Your symptoms, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for your appointment.
  • Key personal information, including major stresses or recent life changes and family medical history.
  • The drugs, vitamins or supplements that you take, including over-dose.
  • Questions to ask your health care provider.

Have a friend or family member, if possible, to help you remember the information that you receive.

For a tumor of the pituitary gland, questions to ask your health care provider include:

  • What is likely causing my symptoms or condition?
  • What are other possible causes?
  • What specialist should I see?
  • What tests do I need?
  • What is the best course of action?
  • What are alternatives to the approach that you're suggesting?
  • I have other health conditions. How can I manage together?
  • There are restrictions that must be followed?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material I can have? What sites do you recommend?

Do not hesitate to ask other questions.

What to expect from your doctor

Your health care provider is likely to ask a series of questions, including:

  • When did your symptoms begin?
  • Have been continuous or occasional?
  • How severe are the symptoms?
  • What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
  • What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
  • Has had imaging tests done in your head for any reason in the past?
Symptoms and treatment of tumors of the Pituitary gland