NINDS Pituitary Tumors Information Page
Pituitary Tumors
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What are Pituitary Tumors?
Is there any treatment?
What is the prognosis?
What research is being done?
Organizations
What are Pituitary Tumors?
The pituitary is a small, pea-sized gland that hangs from the hypothalamus, a structure at the base of the brain, by a thread-like stalk that contains both blood vessels and nerves. It controls a system of hormones in the body that regulate growth, metabolism, the stress response, and functions of the sex organs via the thyroid gland, adrenal gland, ovaries, and testes. A pituitary tumor is an abnormal growth of cells within the pituitary gland. Most pituitary tumors are benign, which means they are non-cancerous, grow slowly and do not spread to other parts of the body, however they can make the pituitary gland produce too many hormones, which can cause problems in the body. Tumors that make hormones are called functioning tumors, and they can cause a wide array of symptoms depending upon the hormone affected. Tumors that don’t make hormones are called non-functioning tumors. Their symptoms are directly related to their growth in size and include headaches, vision problems, nausea, and vomiting. Diseases related to hormone abnormalities include Cushing’s disease, in which fat builds up in the face, back and chest, and the arms and legs become very thin; and acromegaly, a condition in which the hands, feet, and face are larger than normal. Pituitary hormones that impact the sex hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone, can make a woman produce breast milk even though she is not pregnant or nursing, or cause a man to lose his sex drive or lower his sperm count. Pituitary tumors often go undiagnosed because their symptoms resemble those of so many other more common diseases.
Is there any treatment? Generally, treatment depends on the type of tumor, the size of the tumor, whether the tumor has invaded or pressed on surrounding
structures, such as the brain and visual pathways, and the individual’s age and overall health. Three types of treatment
are used: surgical removal of the tumor; radiation therapy, in which high-dose x-rays are used to kill the tumor cells; and
drug therapy to shrink or destroy the tumor. Medications are also sometimes used to block the tumor from overproducing hormones.
For some people, removing the tumor will also stop the pituitary’s ability to produce a specific hormone. These individuals
will have to take synthetic hormones to replace the ones their pituitary gland no longer produces.
What is the prognosis? If diagnosed early enough, the prognosis is usually excellent. If diagnosis is delayed, even a non-functioning tumor can
cause problems if it grows large enough to press on the optic nerves, the brain, or the carotid arteries (the vessels that
bring blood to the brain). Early diagnosis and treatment is the key to a good prognosis.
What research is being done? The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and other institutes of the National Institutes of Health
(NIH) conduct research related to brain tumors, including pituitary tumors, in their laboratories at the NIH and also support
research through grants to major medical institutions across the country. Much of this research focuses on finding better
ways to prevent, treat, and ultimately cure pituitary tumors.
Select this link to view a list of studies currently seeking patients.
| American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA) 2720 River Road Suite 146 Des Plaines, IL 60018-4117 info@abta.org http://www.abta.org Tel: 847-827-9910 800-886-2282 Fax: 847-827-9918 |
Brain Tumor Society 124 Watertown Street Suite 3H Watertown, MA 02472-2500 info@tbts.org http://www.tbts.org Tel: 617-924-9997 800-770-TBTS (8287) Fax: 617-924-9998 |
| National Brain Tumor Foundation (NBTF) 22 Battery Street Suite 612 San Francisco, CA 94111-5520 nbtf@braintumor.org http://www.braintumor.org Tel: 415-834-9970 800-934-CURE (2873) Fax: 415-834-9980 |
Pituitary Network Association P.O. Box 1958 Thousand Oaks, CA 91358 rnr@pituitary.org http://www.pituitary.org Tel: 805-499-9973 Fax: 805-480-0633 |
| National Institute of Child Health and Human
Development (NICHD) National Institutes of Health, DHHS 31 Center Drive, Rm. 2A32 MSC 2425 Bethesda, MD 20892-2425 http://www.nichd.nih.gov Tel: 301-496-5133 Fax: 301-496-7101 |
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive
and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) National Institutes of Health, DHHS 31 Center Drive, Rm. 9A06 MSC 2560 Bethesda, MD 20892-2560 http://www.niddk.nih.gov Tel: 301-496-3583 |
| International RadioSurgery Association 3002 N. Second Street Harrisburg, PA 17110 office1@irsa.org http://www.irsa.org Tel: 717-260-9808 Fax: 717-260-9809 |
Prepared by:
Office of Communications and Public Liaison
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD 20892
NINDS health-related material is provided for information purposes only and does not necessarily represent endorsement by or an official position of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke or any other Federal agency. Advice on the treatment or care of an individual patient should be obtained through consultation with a physician who has examined that patient or is familiar with that patient's medical history.
All NINDS-prepared information is in the public domain and may be freely copied. Credit to the NINDS or the NIH is appreciated.
Last updated September 05, 2007
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