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Pituitary Tumor
Alternate Names : Tumor - Pituitary
DefinitionA pituitary tumor is an abnormal growth in the pituitary gland, the part of the brain that regulates the body's balance of hormones.
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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
The pituitary gland is a pea-sized endocrine gland located at the base of the brain. The pituitary regulates and controls the secretion of hormones from other endocrine glands, which in turn regulate many body processes. These hormones include the following:
About 75% of pituitary tumors secrete hormones. When a tumor produces excessive amounts of one or more hormones, the following conditions may occur:
As the tumor grows, destruction of some of the hormone-secreting cells of the pituitary may take place, causing symptoms related to the underproduction of the hormone that is suppressed (hypopituitarism).
The causes of pituitary tumors are unknown, although some are a part of a hereditary disorder called multiple endocrine neoplasia I (MEN I).
There are other types of tumors that can be found in the same area of the head as a pituitary tumor:
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Germinomas
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Metastatic tumors (tumors that have spread from cancer in another part of the body)
About 15% of tumors located within the skull are pituitary tumors. Most pituitary tumors are located in the anterior pituitary lobe and are usually beningn (noncancerous). Pituitary tumors develop in 1 in 10,000 people.
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• Definition
• Pituitary Tumor Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
• Pituitary Tumor Symptoms & Signs
• Pituitary Tumor Diagnosis & Tests
• Pituitary Tumor Treatment
• Pituitary Tumor Prognosis
• Pituitary Tumor Complications
• Calling Your Health Care Provider
• Pictures & Images
Topics that might be of interest to you Diseases & Conditions
• Acromegaly
• Cancer
• Craniopharyngioma
• Cushing's Syndrome
• Gigantism
• Hyperthyroidism
• Hypopituitarism
• Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN) I
• Prolactinoma
Tests & Exams
• ACTH
• Cortisol - Urine
• Cranial CT Scan
• Dexamethasone Suppression Test
• Growth Hormone
• MRI of the Head
• Prolactin
• T4 Test
• TSH
• Visual Field
Other Topics
• Anterior
• Blood Pressure - Low
• Cold Intolerance
• Constipation
• Cysts
• Endocrine
• Erection Problems
• Eyelid Drooping
• Facial Swelling
• Fatigue
• Gynecomastia
• Headache
• Heat Intolerance
• Menstruation - Absent
• Muscle Aches
• Nasal Discharge
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Nipple Discharge - Abnormal
• Physical Examination
• Radiation Therapy
• Seizures
• Smell - Impaired
• Vision Problems
• Weakness
• Weight Gain - Unintentional
• Weight Loss - Unintentional
Review Date : 11/12/2002
Reviewed By : Todd T. Brown, M.D., Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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