Pituitary Tumor – Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment | I D Cancer Center
What Is a Pituitary Tumor?
A pituitary tumor is an abnormal growth in the pituitary gland, a pea-sized gland located at the base of the brain.The pituitary controls key hormones that regulate:Growth
Thyroid function
Reproduction
Stress response
Water balance
Most pituitary tumors are benign (non-cancerous) but can still cause serious health problems due to hormone imbalance or pressure on nearby brain structures.
Growth
Thyroid function
Reproduction
Stress response
Water balance
Most pituitary tumors are benign (non-cancerous) but can still cause serious health problems due to hormone imbalance or pressure on nearby brain structures.
⭐ Types of Pituitary Tumors
1. Functional (Hormone-Producing) Tumors
These produce excess hormones and cause noticeable symptoms:
Prolactinoma (excess prolactin)
Growth hormone–secreting tumors → Acromegaly
ACTH-producing tumors → Cushing’s disease
TSH-secreting tumors
These produce excess hormones and cause noticeable symptoms:
Prolactinoma (excess prolactin)
Growth hormone–secreting tumors → Acromegaly
ACTH-producing tumors → Cushing’s disease
TSH-secreting tumors
2. Non-Functional Tumors
These do not release hormones but grow silently and cause:
Headache
Vision problems
Hormonal deficiency
These do not release hormones but grow silently and cause:
Headache
Vision problems
Hormonal deficiency
3. Pituitary Carcinoma (Extremely Rare)
A malignant tumor that may spread to other organs.
A malignant tumor that may spread to other organs.
⭐ Symptoms of Pituitary Tumors
Symptoms depend on whether the tumor produces hormones or grows large enough to press on nearby structures.
Symptoms depend on whether the tumor produces hormones or grows large enough to press on nearby structures.
Hormonal Symptoms
Irregular periods or infertility
Milk discharge from breasts (unrelated to pregnancy)
Weight gain or round face (Cushing’s)
Excessive height/hand/foot growth (acromegaly)
Fatigue, weakness
Increased thirst and urination
Low libido or erectile dysfunction
Irregular periods or infertility
Milk discharge from breasts (unrelated to pregnancy)
Weight gain or round face (Cushing’s)
Excessive height/hand/foot growth (acromegaly)
Fatigue, weakness
Increased thirst and urination
Low libido or erectile dysfunction
Pressure Symptoms
Persistent headache
Blurred or double vision
Loss of peripheral (side) vision
Nausea or vomiting
Persistent headache
Blurred or double vision
Loss of peripheral (side) vision
Nausea or vomiting
General Symptoms
Mood changes
Sleep disturbance
Unexplained weight changes
Mood changes
Sleep disturbance
Unexplained weight changes
⭐ Causes & Risk Factors
Although most cases have no clear cause, risk factors include:
Genetic syndromes (MEN1)
Family history
Previous radiation exposure
Rare genetic mutations
Although most cases have no clear cause, risk factors include:
Genetic syndromes (MEN1)
Family history
Previous radiation exposure
Rare genetic mutations
⭐ How Pituitary Tumors Are Diagnosed at I D Cancer Center
✔ Detailed Hormone Evaluation
Blood and urine tests to measure:
Prolactin
Growth hormone & IGF-1
ACTH & cortisol
TSH, T3/T4
LH/FSH & sex hormones
Electrolytes & sodium balance
Blood and urine tests to measure:
Prolactin
Growth hormone & IGF-1
ACTH & cortisol
TSH, T3/T4
LH/FSH & sex hormones
Electrolytes & sodium balance
✔ MRI Brain (Gold Standard)
High-resolution pituitary MRI for tumor detection and size measurement.
High-resolution pituitary MRI for tumor detection and size measurement.
✔ Visual Field Testing
To check for optic nerve compression.
To check for optic nerve compression.
✔ PET-CT (in selected cases)
⭐ Treatment Options at I D Cancer Center
1. Medical Treatment
First-line for many functional tumors:
Dopamine agonists (for prolactinoma)
Somatostatin analogs (for GH/ACTH tumors)
Medications to control cortisol or thyroid hormones
First-line for many functional tumors:
Dopamine agonists (for prolactinoma)
Somatostatin analogs (for GH/ACTH tumors)
Medications to control cortisol or thyroid hormones
2. Surgery
Performed when:
Tumor compresses the optic nerve
Hormonal imbalance cannot be controlled
Large or invasive tumors
Transsphenoidal surgery (through the nose) is the most common and minimally invasive approach.
Performed when:
Tumor compresses the optic nerve
Hormonal imbalance cannot be controlled
Large or invasive tumors
Transsphenoidal surgery (through the nose) is the most common and minimally invasive approach.
3. Radiation Therapy
For residual, recurrent, or inoperable tumors, we provide cutting-edge radiotherapy:
IMRT
VMAT/Arc Therapy
SRS (Stereotactic Radiosurgery) where appropriate
Adaptive Radiotherapy
Radiation helps stop tumor growth and restore hormonal balance.
For residual, recurrent, or inoperable tumors, we provide cutting-edge radiotherapy:
IMRT
VMAT/Arc Therapy
SRS (Stereotactic Radiosurgery) where appropriate
Adaptive Radiotherapy
Radiation helps stop tumor growth and restore hormonal balance.
4. Hormone Replacement Therapy
Used when the pituitary gland is underactive due to tumor or treatment.
Used when the pituitary gland is underactive due to tumor or treatment.
⭐ Complications if Untreated
Permanent vision loss
Severe hormonal imbalance
Infertility
Adrenal or thyroid failure
Uncontrolled growth disorders (acromegaly/Cushing’s)
Early treatment prevents long-term health damage.
Permanent vision loss
Severe hormonal imbalance
Infertility
Adrenal or thyroid failure
Uncontrolled growth disorders (acromegaly/Cushing’s)
Early treatment prevents long-term health damage.
