Library · Neoplasm
Pituitary adenoma
Make it clearer
The pituitary is the gland that regulates the balance of many of the body's hormones. A pituitary adenoma is a tumor that grows there. The word tumor is frightening, so it is worth saying right away: pituitary tumors are almost always benign, that is, not cancerous.
That does not mean they are harmless, and there are several reasons why. For one, some of these tumors make too much of one or more hormones. For another, as they grow they can damage the healthy pituitary cells, the ones that normally release those hormones, and then the gland stops making enough of some of those hormones, or of all of them. And there is a third problem, this one about space: depending on its size and where it sits, the tumor can press on the rest of the pituitary tissue, and if it grows large, on nearby parts of the brain as well. It is a tenant moving into a room with no space to spare.
In brief
A pituitary adenoma is a tumor of the pituitary gland, which regulates the balance of many of the body's hormones; pituitary tumors are almost always benign, or noncancerous.
Some of these tumors overproduce one or more hormones, and a growing tumor can damage the normal pituitary cells that release them, so the gland stops making enough of some or all of them.
Depending on its size and location, the tumor can press on the rest of the pituitary tissue, and if it grows large, on nearby parts of the brain.
Sources (2)
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney DiseasesAcromegaly
- MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of MedicinePituitary tumor (Medical Encyclopedia)
This page explains the topic in general terms; it does not tell anyone what treatment to follow.
Updated