Pituitary Adenoma: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
أورام النخامية
Pituitary adenomas are tumors arising in the pituitary gland, most of which are benign. They may secrete excess hormones or press on surrounding structures, causing hormonal disturbances or vision problems. They are treated with medication, trans-nasal surgery, or radiation depending on the type.
What is Pituitary Adenoma?
Pituitary adenomas are tumors that arise in the pituitary gland, a small chickpea-sized gland at the base of the brain nicknamed the master gland because it controls the secretion of hormones that regulate the body's other glands. The vast majority of these tumors are benign and slow-growing and are called adenomas.
These tumors fall into two types: hormone-secreting tumors that cause symptoms according to the excess hormone (such as prolactin, growth hormone, or cortisol), and non-secreting tumors that may grow silently until they press on the nearby optic nerves, causing visual disturbance, especially in the peripheral field.
Diagnosis relies on hormone tests and MRI of the brain, and treatment is determined by the tumor's type, size, and symptoms. Some types, such as prolactin-secreting tumors, respond well to medication alone, while others need precise trans-nasal surgery or radiotherapy. Long-term follow-up is important to control hormones and prevent recurrence.
Symptoms
- Visual disturbance and loss of peripheral vision.
- Headache.
- Menstrual disturbance, milk discharge, or erectile dysfunction (prolactinomas).
- Enlargement of hands, feet, and facial features (growth hormone).
- Fatigue and weight changes from other hormone imbalances.
Causes
- Mutations in pituitary-gland cells leading to uncontrolled growth.
- Usually occur without a clear hereditary cause.
- Rare hereditary syndromes in some cases.
Diagnosis
- Blood tests for pituitary hormone levels.
- MRI of the brain.
- Visual-field testing when pressure on the optic nerves is suspected.
Treatment
Medications
- Drugs that suppress prolactin are very effective for prolactinomas.
- Medicines to lower growth hormone in some cases.
Surgery and radiation
- Endoscopic trans-nasal removal of the tumor.
- Targeted radiotherapy for residual or recurrent tumors.
This content is educational and does not replace consulting an endocrinologist or neurosurgeon.
Complications
- Permanent vision loss if treatment is delayed.
- Permanent pituitary hormone deficiency.
- Sudden bleeding into the tumor (pituitary apoplexy), a medical emergency.
Prevention
- There is no specific prevention.
- Early diagnosis by noting hormonal and visual symptoms.
- Regular follow-up after treatment.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor for sudden vision change, an unusual severe headache, or a hormonal disturbance such as stopped periods or milk discharge. Go to the emergency department for a sudden severe headache with vision change. Book an appointment with an endocrinologist on ClinicsJo.