Pituitary Tumors

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NINDS: ⁵² The pituitary is a small, bean-sized gland that is below the hypothalamus, a structure at the base of the brain, by a thread-like stalk that contains both blood vessels and nerves.  It controls a system of hormones in the body that regulate growth, metabolism, the stress response, and functions of the sex organs via the thyroid gland, adrenal gland, ovaries, and testes.  A pituitary tumor is an abnormal growth of cells within the pituitary gland.  Most pituitary tumors are benign, which means they are non-cancerous, grow slowly and do not spread to other parts of the body; however they can make the pituitary gland produce either too many or too few hormones, which can cause problems in the body. Tumors that make hormones are called functioning tumors, and they can cause a wide array of symptoms depending upon the hormone affected.  Tumors that don’t make hormones are called non-functioning tumors.  Their symptoms are directly related to their growth in size and include headaches, vision problems, nausea, and vomiting.  Diseases related to hormone abnormalities include Cushing’s disease, in which fat builds up in the face, back and chest, and the arms and legs become very thin; and acromegaly, a condition in which the hands, feet, and face are larger than normal.  Pituitary hormones that impact the sex hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone, can make a woman produce breast milk even though she is not pregnant or nursing, or cause a man to lose his sex drive or lower his sperm count.  Pituitary tumors often go undiagnosed because their symptoms resemble those of so many other more common diseases.

MalaCards based summary: Pituitary Tumors, also known as pituitary neoplasms, is related to multiple endocrine neoplasia, type iv and empty sella syndrome. An important gene associated with Pituitary Tumors is GNAS (GNAS Complex Locus), and among its related pathways/superpathways are Adipogenesis and Growth hormone receptor signaling. The drugs Hydrocortisone succinate and Hydrocortisone acetate have been mentioned in the context of this disorder. Affiliated tissues include pituitary, adrenal gland and hypothalamus, and related phenotypes are nervous system and homeostasis/metabolism

MedlinePlus: ⁴¹ Your pituitary gland is a pea-sized gland at the base of your brain. The pituitary is the "master control gland" - it makes hormones that affect growth and the functions of other glands in the body. Pituitary tumors are common, but often they don't cause health problems. Most people with pituitary tumors never even know they have them. The most common type of pituitary tumor produces hormones and disrupts the balance of hormones in your body. This can cause endocrine diseases such as Cushing's syndrome and hyperthyroidism. Symptoms of pituitary tumors include: Headaches Vision problems Nausea and vomiting Problems caused by the production of too many hormones Pituitary tumors are usually curable. Treatment is often surgery to remove the tumor. Other options include medicines, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.

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