Pituitary Tumors Summary 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. National Cancer Institute Diagnosis and Tests ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic Hormone) Test American Association for Clinical Chemistry Aldosterone and Renin Test American Association for Clinical Chemistry Growth Hormone American Association for Clinical Chemistry How Are Pituitary Tumors Diagnosed? American Cancer Society IGF-1 (Insulin-Like Growth Factor -1) Test American Association for Clinical Chemistry Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) — Head Array Prolactin Test American Association for Clinical Chemistry Stages of Pituitary Tumors National Cancer Institute TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone) Test American Association for Clinical Chemistry Encyclopedia ACTH blood test Head MRI Pituitary infarction Stereotactic radiosurgery – discharge Children Childhood Craniopharyngioma National Cancer Institute Stages of Childhood Craniopharyngioma National Cancer Institute Treatment Option Overview (Childhood Craniopharyngioma) National Cancer Institute Treatment Options for Childhood Craniopharyngioma National Cancer Institute Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Pituitary Neoplasms National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Prolactinoma National Institutes of Health Array Craniopharyngioma Pituitary gland Pituitary tumor Prolactin blood test Prolactinoma Related Issues Endocrinologist: What Is an Endocrinologist? Hormone Health Network What Happens After Treatment for Pituitary Tumors? American Cancer Society Find an Expert Find an Endocrinologist Hormone Health Network National Cancer Institute National Cancer Institute National Institute of Child Health and Human Development National Institute of Child Health and Human Development National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Treatments and Therapies Gamma-Knife Radiosurgery Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Pituitary Disorders Treatment Options Hormone Health Network Treatment Option Overview (Pituitary Tumors) National Cancer Institute Treatment Options for Pituitary Tumors National Cancer Institute Start Here General Information about Pituitary Tumors National Cancer Institute Pituitary Tumors National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Pituitary Tumors Hormone Health Network Pituitary Tumors National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Pituitary Tumors Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research What Are Pituitary Tumors? American Cancer Society Genetics Genetics Home Reference: familial isolated pituitary adenoma National Library of Medicine What Are the Risk Factors for Pituitary Tumors? American Cancer Society Specifics Pituitary: Non-Secretory Tumors Hormone Health Network Pituitary: Secretory Tumors Hormone Health Network Prolactinoma National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Journal Articles Pituitary Tumors Videos and Tutorials Transnasal Endoscopic Surgery for Skull-Based Tumors OR-Live Statistics and Research What Are the Key Statistics about Pituitary Tumors? American Cancer Society What’s New in Pituitary Tumor Research and Treatment? American Cancer Society Symptoms What Are the Symptoms of Pituitary Tumors? National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Patient Handouts What to Know about External Beam Radiation Therapy National Cancer Institute
