What is a pituitary adenoma?
A pituitary adenoma is a tumor—that is a growth of tissue in which cells multiply in an uncontrolled manner. Adenomas are located just next to, or within the pituitary gland. The adenoma can be much smaller than the gland when the symptoms it causes become noticeable and the adenoma is diagnosed. Most pituitary adenomas are ‘microadenomas,’ which measure 3 to 9 mm (1/8 to 3/8 of an inch) in diameter, although a few patients have ‘macroadenomas,’ which are 10 mm or larger in diameter. Macroadenomas often cause problems with normal pituitary function because of compression of the gland or vision problems from compression of the optic nerves. Almost all adenomas are benign, rather than malignant, which means that they are relatively slow-growing and are slow to invade surrounding tissues. They very rarely metastasize or spread to other areas of the body.
A pituitary adenoma is a specific type of brain tumour that arises from the pituitary gland. This gland is situated directly behind the nose, under the frontal lobes of the brain. It controls the regulation of many different hormones and is vital to life. These adenomas secrete hormones, some active others not, and symptoms depend on the type of hormone secreted. The most common hormone produced by one of these tumours is PROLACTIN which can cause impotence in males and infertility in females. The next most common is an INACTIVE HORMONE that usually causes symptoms related to the size of the tumour and the pressure it causes on surrounding structures such as the visual pathways, the normal pituitary gland and the brain itself. The next most common adenoma produces GROWTH HORMONE which can cause excessive growth in children or acromegaly in adults. The least common hormone secreted by a pituitary adenoma is ACTH which causes Cushing’s Disease. Most adenomas are benign and can be cured w
Pituitary adenomas are benign tumors which arise from the pituitary gland. Pituitary tumors are rarely malignant. Pituitary tumors can overproduce certain hormones. These tumors can cause disease by releasing excessive amounts of hormones into the bloodstream The most common type of hormonally active pituitary tumor is the prolactinoma. Excess prolactin in the blood may lead to irregular or absent menstrual periods in women (amenorrhea), decreased libido (sex drive) and impotence (decreased erections) in men. In addition, prolactinomas can cause infertility or inappropriate milk production by the breast in both men and women. A number of medicines are available to treat this disorder so that surgery is needed only infrequently. Most patients with prolactinomas are treated by endocrinologists, who are medical specialists, rather than neurosurgeons. Other hormone-producing pituitary tumors include those that cause Cushing’s Disease and acromegaly. Acromegaly results from excessive produc
Pituitary adenomas cause most cases of Cushing’s syndrome. They are benign, or non-cancerous, tumors of the pituitary gland which secrete increased amounts of ACTH. Most patients have a single adenoma. This form of the syndrome, known as “Cushing’s disease”, affects women five times more frequently than men.
A pituitary adenoma is a tumor (lump) in your pituitary gland. The pituitary gland is an almond-shaped organ found under the middle part of your brain. Your pituitary gland makes and secretes (releases) things called hormones. Hormones are special chemicals which flow through your blood to control functions of your organs and tissues. An area of your brain called the hypothalamus is found above your pituitary gland. It gives signals to your pituitary gland telling it which hormones to release and how much. Pituitary adenomas are not like cancer cells which spread to other parts of your body and grow into tumors. A pituitary adenoma changes your body functions by releasing abnormal hormone amounts or by damaging nearby tissues.
