The pituitary gland represents a junction between the nervous system and the endocrine system. The pituitary makes a variety of hormones, including growth hormone, prolactin as well as hormones that stimulate the adrenal and thyroid glands. Pituitary tumors, even if they aren't cancerous, can cause a variety of medical problems.
Identification
Pituitary tumors are abnormal growths that develop in the pituitary gland. Most pituitary tumors, according to the Mayo Clinic, are not cancerous (and are thus considered adenomas). Even tumors that are not cancerous can cause problems, however, either by compressing the pituitary or by producing abnormal levels of pituitary hormones.
Types
The National Cancer Institute explains that there are three main types of pituitary tumors. Benign pituitary adenomas grow relatively slowly and do not have the ability to spread to other parts of the body. Invasive pituitary adenomas are still benign but can spread to the sinuses or the bones in the skull. Finally, pituitary carcinomas represent cancerous forms of pituitary tumors and can spread throughout the nervous system and body.
Symptoms of Tumor Pressure
Sometimes pituitary tumors can cause problems by being large enough that they put pressure on the rest of the brain. Symptoms of this kind of problem can include a headache, nausea and vomiting, seizures and loss of vision (as a result of the tumor compressing the optic nerve). These kinds of tumors can also cause the pituitary to not produce enough of its hormones, which can cause cold intolerance, low blood pressure, constipation and loss of hair throughout the body.
Functional Tumor Symptoms
Some pituitary tumors secrete high levels of pituitary hormones. Pituitary tumors that secrete adrenocorticotropic hormone can cause the adrenal glands to secrete high levels of hormones such as cortisol. Other tumors secrete growth hormone, leading to coarse facial features, large hands and feet, and heart problems. These tumors can cause children to grow abnormally quickly. Some pituitary tumors can instead secrete prolactin or thryoid-stimulating hormone.
Treatment
The National Cancer Institute explains that tumors in the pituitary gland are typically treated surgically. Transphenoidal surgery involves cutting through the upper lip and then the sphenoid bone (located just under the nose) in order to gain access to the pituitary. Chemotherapy and radiation treatments can be used to treat pituitary carcinomas if all of the cancerous cells cannot be removed. Finally, drugs can be given which can block the production of pituitary hormones.
