Pituitary tumours are abnormal growths that develop in your pituitary gland. Some pituitary tumours cause excessive production of hormones that regulate important functions of your body.
2. INTRODUCTION TO PITUITARY
TUMOURS
• Pituitary gland is a very small gland of major importance
to the functioning of the human body.
• Pituitary gland is located directly behind the eyes and
below the front of the brain.
• Despite being small in size, the pituitary gland is
responsible for producing hormones that regulate very
critical body organs and glands including the thyroid
gland, the adrenal glands, the ovaries, and the testicles.
• Pituitary tumours are abnormal growths that develop in
your pituitary gland. Some pituitary tumours cause
excessive production of hormones that regulate
important functions of your body.
3. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF
PITUITARY TUMOURS
There are multiple signs and symptoms of pituitary tumours
including:
• Excessive hormones in the blood
• Flushing of the face
• Weak muscles and bones
• High blood pressure
• Irregular heartbeat
• Headache
• Vision loss
• Large hands and feet
• Breast milk even if not pregnant
• Lack of milk when breastfeeding
4. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF
PITUITARY TUMOURS
• Lower sex drive
• Impotence
• Loss of body hair
• Delayed sexual development and growth in children
• Weight gain
• Bruising easily
• Irritability, anxiety, depression
• Nausea, vomiting
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Seizures
• Runny nose due to cerebrospinal fluid leaking into the nose
5. DIAGNOSIS OF PITUITARY TUMOURS
If your doctor suspects a pituitary tumour, he/she may
want you to undergo the following tests in order to
diagnose a pituitary tumour properly:
• Blood and urine tests: Testing of your blood and
urine can determine whether you have an inadequate
production of hormones.
• Brain imaging: A computerized tomography (CT) or
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of your brain
can help your doctor determine the location and size of a
pituitary tumour.
• Vision testing: This test enables the doctor to know
whether a pituitary tumour has impaired your sight or
peripheral vision.
6. TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR
PITUITARY TUMOURS
• Surgical removal of a pituitary tumour usually is
necessary if the tumour is pressing on the optic nerves,
which can cause loss of vision, or if the tumour is over-
producing certain hormones.
• Radiation therapy uses high-energy X-rays to destroy
tumours. It can be used after surgery or alone as primary
treatment if surgery isn’t an option. Radiation therapy is
useful if a tumour returns after surgery and causes signs
and symptoms that medications don’t relieve.
7. • Some prolactin-secreting tumours can be treated with a
drug treatment that reduces the production of prolactin.
These drugs include bromocriptin and cabergoline.
• Hormone replacement therapy is often necessary for
patients with a pituitary tumour when the gland is not
making enough of a hormone due to the disease.
Watchful waiting may be particularly appropriate if you're
older or in poor health. Many people with pituitary
tumours function normally without treatment if the
tumour isn’t causing other problems.
TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR
PITUITARY TUMOURS
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