Pituitary Adenoma

A pituitary adenoma is uncommon and non-cancerous. It is a benign tumor that develops on the pituitary gland, found inside the skull just above the nasal passages. Pituitary cancers are called pituitary carcinomas and are extremely rare. Pituitary adenomas are classified according to size:

Microadenomas – are tumors that are smaller than one centimeter across. They rarely press on other tissue, but they can cause symptoms if they release too much of a certain hormone into the bloodstream.

Macroadenomas – are larger than one centimeter across. Macroadenomas can also affect hormone production and they are large enough to press on nearby tissue or nerves, causing damage.

Most pituitary adenomas are not inherited and develop spontaneously. The pituitary gland is composed of different types of hormone-producing pituitary cells that get released into the bloodstream, affecting other organs in the body. Pituitary adenomas arise from one of these specialized cells. Tumor cells that cause overproduction of hormones are called functional adenoma. Functional adenomas include:

Prolactinoma – a tumor that overproduces prolactin

Acromegaly – caused by an excess growth hormone

Cushing’s disease – caused by a pituitary tumor stimulating an overproduction of cortisol

Symptoms of pituitary adenoma depend upon several factors, including whether the tumors are hormone-producing or clinically nonfunctioning. Not all adenomas exhibit symptoms, therefore it can be difficult to diagnose early. Non-functional or functioning pituitary adenomas often grow until they become macroadenomas, which can press on surrounding tissues and nerves, and affect hormone function. The following symptoms may be experienced by patients with pituitary adenomas:

Syndromes from overproduction of hormones in functioning adenomas:

Acromegaly
Cushing's Disease
Hyperprolactinemia
Hyperthyroidism
Prolactinoma

Symptoms related to Macroadenoma

Vision loss
Loss of the outer peripheral vision
Loss of visual acuity (blurry vision)
Colors are not perceived as bright as usual
Loss of pituitary function
Headaches
Double vision

Symptoms for pituitary insufficiency

Hypopituitarism
Reduction of sex hormones
Low testosterone level for men
Decreased sexual drive and impotence
Loss of body and facial hair
Infertility for women
Loss of menstrual periods
Hypothyroidism
Death can occur in severe case
Stunted growth and delayed puberty for children
Tiredness, loss of muscle mass, and tone
Headache
Heat and cold intolerance
Unexplained weight loss or gain
Excessive thirst and urination

Pituitary adenoma treatment will depend on multiple factors, including the size and location of the tumor, age, and overall health condition of the patient. Surgical removal of pituitary adenoma is the best chance for a cure. If the tumor invaded surrounding tissues, however, there is a lower chance of a surgical cure. In that case, you may be recommended to undergo other treatment options, such as medication or radiation therapy. Treatment options for pituitary adenoma include:

Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Surgery
Orange County neurosurgeon Robert Louis, MD, specializes in minimally invasive endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery for the removal of pituitary adenoma. This sophisticated procedure removes the tumor while minimizing complications, hospital time, trauma, and discomfort. Dr, Louis has the specialized skills and training with this advanced technique. Read more about Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Surgery.

Medication

Sometimes use of medication, and not surgery may be the best initial course of treatment. However, in most cases, patients require a combination of medical and surgical treatment to remove pituitary adenoma.

Gamma Knife Radiosurgery

Is a highly effective, non-invasive treatment for pituitary adenomas.