Pituitary tumors more common than you might think

Though few pituitary tumors are cancerous, the number of pituitary tumors diagnosed each year may be far lower than their actual number. According to the American Cancer Society, roughly 7,000 pituitary tumors are diagnosed each year, and nearly all of those are benign, or non-cancerous. However, doctors have discovered that pituitary tumors are more common than once thought.

Doctors who examined the brains of people who had died or people who have had imaging tests like an MRI found that as many as one in four people have a pituitary tumor without even knowing it. These tumors can occur in anyone, even children, and many rarely cause symptoms or health problems. However, pituitary tumors' apparent prevalence makes it important that adults understand pituitary tumors so they're better equipped should they receive a pituitary tumor diagnosis.

What is the pituitary gland?

The pituitary gland is found just above the nasal passages and is directly connected to the hypothalamus, a region of the brain responsible for a host of important functions. The American Association of Neurological Surgeons notes that the pituitary gland is often referred to as the "master gland," as it constantly monitors body functions, sending signals to remote organs and glands to control their function. The pituitary gland controls and coordinates growth and development; the function of various organs, including the kidneys; and the function of other glands, such as the thyroid and adrenal glands.

What is a pituitary tumor?

Nearly all pituitary tumors are pituitary adenomas, or benign tumors that do not spread outside the skull. Adenomas are typically confined to the tiny space where the pituitary gland sits, though they can grow into the surrounding blood vessels, nerves and coverings of the brain. The fourth most common intercranial tumor, pituitary adenomas are the most common disease affecting the pituitary gland, and most often affect people in their 30s or 40s, though they have been found in children as well.

A pituitary tumor that is malignant is known as a pituitary carcinoma, and, though it's possible, it likely will not spread to other parts of the body. Perhaps because pituitary carcinomas are so rare, it can be difficult for doctors to distinguish them from an adenoma unless the tumor starts to spread to another part of the body.

Some additional types of tumors do not develop from cells of the pituitary gland, but they can grow into it and cause damage. Such tumors are very rare, however.

Are there symptoms of pituitary tumors?

There are symptoms of pituitary tumors, most of which result from dysfunction in the glands that secrete hormones. Such dysfunction can cause overproduction of growth hormones, leading to a condition such as giantism, or underproduction of growth hormones, which can lead to hypothyroidism, which causes retardation of growth and mental development.

The most common side effect of a pituitary tumor is compression of the optic nerves, which transmits impulses from the retina to the brain. If compression of the optic nerve occurs, a person will gradually lose his or her vision, a loss that will first be noticed with the deterioration of lateral peripheral vision.

If three or more of the following symptoms are present, doctors might suspect a pituitary tumor:

* Vision problems (blurred or double vision, drooping eyelid)

* Headaches in the forehead area

* Nausea or vomiting

* Impaired sense of smell

* Sexual dysfunction

* Depression

* Fatigue

* Infertility

* Growth problems

* Osteoporosis

* Unexplained weight gain

* Unexplained weight loss

* Easy bruising

* Aching joints

* Carpal tunnel syndrome

* Disrupted menses

* Early menopause

* Muscle weakness

How is a pituitary tumor diagnosed?

Doctors who suspect a pituitary tumor will give patients a physical and test their vision to see if patients have lost their peripheral vision. Hormone testing of the blood and urine and imaging tests, such as an MRI, are used to confirm a diagnosis.

Can a pituitary tumor be treated?

As with most health issues, the earlier a pituitary tumor is detected the better a patient's chance at being cured. In addition, early intervention increases the chances a doctor can control the tumor and its side effects.

Doctors treating a pituitary tumor can do so in three ways: surgical removal of the tumor; radiation therapy to kill tumor cells; or medication therapy to shrink or eradicate the tumor.

More information about pituitary tumors can be found at www.aans.org.