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View Clinical TrialsPituitary tumors, also called pituitary adenomas, start in the pituitary gland. They almost always are benign (not cancer). However, they can cause other serious medical problems.
Pituitary tumors, also called pituitary adenomas, start in the pituitary gland. They almost always are benign (not cancer). However, they can cause other serious medical problems.
These problems can be due to the overproduction or underproduction of hormones or if the tumors grow large enough to press against areas around the pituitary gland, such as the optic nerves, which help you see.
The pituitary gland, which is about the size of a pea, is at the base of the brain. Although it is small, the gland is important and is known as the "master gland." It makes growth hormone (GH), which plays a part in growth in children and metabolism in adults, and prolactin, a hormone important for breast milk production. The pituitary gland also makes hormones that control the function of other glands, including the thyroid, adrenals and gonads (ovaries in women and testes in men).
Types of Pituitary Tumors
Pituitary tumors may occur in up to 15% to 20% of people, but tumors requiring treatment occur less frequently and often are not diagnosed.
There are two main types of pituitary tumors, functioning and non-functioning.
Functioning Tumors: These pituitary tumors cause the body to make too much of certain hormones. Hormones that may be overproduced by such pituitary tumors include:
- Prolactin: Prolactin stimulates breast growth and milk production in women. A pituitary tumor that makes too much of this hormone is called a prolactinoma. This is the most frequent type of pituitary tumor.
- Growth hormone (GH): GH plays a part in height in children and the body's metabolism. Tumors that make too much GH cause acromegaly (gradual enlargement of body parts) in adults and gigantism (abnormally large growth) in children.
- Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH): This hormone tells the adrenal glands to make cortisol, which plays a role in the body's response to stress. It also helps regulate blood pressure and heart function, among other duties. Too much ACTH leads to Cushing's disease.
- Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH): Pituitary tumors that make too much of this hormone cause the thyroid to release large amounts of thyroxine, causing hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). This is the most rare type of pituitary tumor.
Non-functioning Tumors: This type of pituitary tumor does not make hormones that cause symptoms, and it is the second most frequent type of pituitary tumor. They may cause problems if they grow large and press against other areas, such as the optic nerve or other nerves. Non-functioning pituitary tumors also can interfere with the pituitary gland's normal production of hormones.
Pituitary cancer (carcinoma): In rare cases, the cells in a pituitary tumor can become cancer and metastasize (spread) to other areas of the body. In most cases, pituitary cancers make hormones, usually prolactin and ACTH.
Pituitary Tumor Risk Factors
A risk factor is anything that increases your chance of getting a disease. The only proven risk factor for pituitary tumors is inheriting a condition that makes you more likely to develop a pituitary tumor, such as Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN1) or Family Isolated Pituitary Adenoma (FIPA).
Not everyone with MEN1or FIPA gets a pituitary tumor. However, if you or someone in your family has this disorder, it’s a good idea to discuss your risk with your doctor.
Learn more about pituitary tumors:
Some cases of pituitary tumors can be passed down from one generation to the next. Genetic counseling may be right for you. Learn more about the risk to you and your family on our genetic testing page.
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Foods to avoid with pituitary tumors
Why choose MD Anderson for pituitary tumor treatment?
The specialists in the Pituitary Tumor Program at MD Anderson's Endocrine Center are among the nation's most experienced and skilled experts in diagnosing and treating pituitary cancer and benign (not cancer) pituitary tumors. Your personal medical team for pituitary tumor care may include endocrinologists, neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists, pathologists, neuro-ophthalmologists and/or radiation oncologists, as well as a specially trained support staff. They communicate and collaborate closely with each other – and with you – to coordinate your treatment.
Comprehensive, Expert Care
Because the pituitary gland is delicate and can be damaged during surgery, it is vital that your surgery be done by a specialized neurosurgeon with a high degree of experience. MD Anderson's surgeons complete many pituitary tumor surgeries each year, and this increases your chance for a successful outcome.
As one of the country's foremost cancer centers, we are constantly researching new advances, and we take part in many multi-center clinical trials. This means we offer clinical trials for new treatments of pituitary tumors, which may be difficult to find elsewhere.
And, at MD Anderson you're surrounded by the strength of one of the nation's largest and most renowned comprehensive cancer centers, which has all the support and wellness services needed to treat the whole person – not just the disease.
Treatment at MD Anderson
Pituitary tumors are treated in our Endocrine Center.
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