Pituitary Gland Tumours

Disclaimer:
This blog is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Content is sourced from third parties, and we do not guarantee accuracy or accept any liability for its use. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical guidance.

What is Pituitary Gland Tumours?

Pituitary gland tumors are abnormal growths in the pituitary, a pea-sized gland at the brain base controlling hormones. Most are benign adenomas (95%), classified as functioning (hormone-secreting, 70%) or non-functioning (30%). Types include prolactinomas (prolactin excess), corticotroph (Cushing’s), somatotroph (acromegaly), thyrotroph, and gonadotroph. In 2025, ~14,000 US cases, median age 40-50, women more for functioning tumors.

Symptoms

Symptoms from hormone excess: prolactinomas cause galactorrhea, amenorrhea, infertility, impotence; Cushing’s cause weight gain, hypertension, diabetes; acromegaly cause enlarged hands/feet, coarse features. Non-functioning tumors cause headaches, vision loss (bitemporal hemianopsia from optic chiasm compression), and hypopituitarism (fatigue, infertility). Symptoms may be subtle, taking years to manifest.

Causes

Causes are mostly sporadic, with genetic mutations (e.g., AIP in familial acromegaly). Risk factors include multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN1), McCune-Albright syndrome, and Carney complex. No strong environmental links. In 2025, epigenetics and microenvironment are studied.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis uses hormone blood tests, MRI (gold standard for visualization), visual field testing, and inferior petrosal sinus sampling for Cushing’s. Biopsy is rare. In 2025, AI MRI improves detection of microadenomas.

Treatment

Treatment for prolactinomas is dopamine agonists (cabergoline). Surgery (transsphenoidal) for compressive or resistant tumors. Radiation (stereotactic) for residual. Hormone replacement for hypopituitarism. In 2025, pasireotide for Cushing’s improves control.

Future Outlook

In 2025, most tumors are manageable, with 95% 5-year survival, but morbidity from hormonal imbalance. Advances in minimally invasive surgery reduce complications. By 2030, targeted therapies could cure 80% without surgery.

Sources

The information is based on Mayo Clinic’s “Pituitary tumors – Symptoms and causes” for symptoms; Johns Hopkins’s “Pituitary Tumors | Johns Hopkins Medicine” for treatment; Endocrine Society’s “Pituitary Tumors | Endocrine Society” for understanding; Pituitary Network Association’s “PNA Highlights September 2025” for updates; NCI’s “Pituitary Tumors Treatment” for treatment; NANOS’s “Pituitary Tumor – North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society” for symptoms; ABTA’s “Pituitary Tumors – American Brain Tumor Association” for overview; Cancer Center’s “Pituitary Tumor: Symptoms, Treatment and Survival Rate” for outlook; Penn Medicine’s “Pituitary Tumors – Symptoms and Causes” for causes; AANS’s “Pituitary Gland and Pituitary Tumors” for overview.