subject: Pituitary Tumors [print this page] A pituitary tumor is an unusual growth in the pituitary gland, the part of the brain that controls the bodys balance of hormones. The pituitary gland often referred to as the master gland is a pea-sized endocrine gland located at the bottom of the brain. This gland assists in regulating the remaining glands like thyroid and adrenal glands. When any sort of problem develops in this gland, it may cause numerous disruptions in all other glands.
The pituitary gland also releases hormones that directly influence body tissues, such as bones and the breasts milk glands. These hormones consist of Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), Growth hormone (GH), Prolactin and Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).
A large pituitary tumor can cause common symptoms which include headache, lethargy, nasal drainage, and nausea and vomiting, problems with the sense of smell, and visual changes like double vision, drooping eyelids and visual field loss. Most pituitary tumors generate too much of one or more hormones. Consequently, symptoms like Hyperthyroidism, Cushing syndrome, Gigantism, Nipple discharge and Visual changes may occur. The most serious complication is blindness. This can occur if the optic nerve is seriously damaged.
Hyperthyroidism is a problem in which the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone. Cushing Syndrome is another condition which occurs whenever the body is subjected to excessive levels of the cortisol hormone. Gigantism is characterized as the abnormal growth of a person. It happens when the pituitary gland generates too much growth hormone during the childhood phase. Nipple problems include nipple tenderness, changes in nipple shape and discharge which could be milky, bloody or discolored. The discharge may happen either when pressure is applied or not such as in the case of spontaneous discharge.
These tumors can also cause some gender specific symptoms like enlargement of the breasts, decreased growth of hair, erection dysfunction, loss of sex drive, and sleepiness in men while irregularity of the menstrual cycle, disappearance of monthly period and painful sexual intercourse in women.
Most pituitary tumors, also called pituitary adenomas, are found to be noncancerous. These tumors are often non malignant and thus, are less likely to spread to other areas of the body. However, as they grow, they may place pressure on vital nerves and blood vessels. Moreover, some pituitary tumors are carcinomas or cancerous. The causes of pituitary tumors are unknown. However, some are part of a hereditary disorder called multiple endocrine neoplasia I (MEN I).
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