What are pituitary tumors?
The pituitary gland is a small, pea-sized organ in the brain behind the back of the nose. The pituitary gland produces hormones that affect many other glands in the body. Although rare, most pituitary tumors are noncancerous (benign), comprising only 7 percent of brain tumors. However, because of the location of the pituitary gland, at the base of the skull, a pituitary tumor grows upward. Eventually, most pituitary tumors will press against the optic nerves, causing vision problems.
The pituitary gland is a small, pea-sized organ in the brain behind the back of the nose. The pituitary gland produces hormones that affect many other glands in the body. Although rare, most pituitary tumors are noncancerous (benign), comprising only 7 percent of brain tumors. However, because of the location of the pituitary gland, at the base of the skull, a pituitary tumor grows upward. And, eventually, most pituitary tumors press against the optic nerves, causing vision problems.
The pituitary gland is a small, pea-sized organ in the brain behind the back of the nose. The pituitary gland produces hormones that affect many other glands in the body. Although rare, most pituitary tumors are noncancerous (benign), comprising only 10 percent of brain tumors. However, because of the location of the pituitary gland, at the base of the skull, a pituitary tumor grows upward. And, eventually, many pituitary tumors press against the optic nerves, causing vision problems. What are symptoms of pituitary tumors? Symptoms vary depending upon what type of tumor is growing and what area of the pituitary gland is affected. Pituitary tumors can cause symptoms that are caused by excess production of pituitary hormones and symptoms caused by reduced production of pituitary hormones. Other symptoms may be due to the proximity of these tumors to local brain structures, such as the optic nerves leading to loss of vision. Each individual also experiences symptoms differently, and the s
A pituitary tumor is a tumor that begins in the pituitary gland. Most pituitary tumors are not cancer. In fact, cancerous pituitary tumors are so rare that state and national cancer agencies keep no record of how many people get them each year. Benign (non-cancerous) pituitary tumors are also rare. About 3,000 people get them each year.
