Pituitary Adenoma

What Is a Pituitary Adenoma?

Pituitary adenomas are benign tumors in the head and can be hormone-active or -inactive. They account for about 10-15% of all brain tumors and are the most common in 35- to 45-year-old patients. The pituitary gland is connected to the brain by a thin peduncle and releases important hormones into the bloodstream. It plays a significant role in the body's hormone regulatory cycle. If a pituitary tumor arises from the pituitary gland's anterior lobe (adenohypophysis), it is a pituitary adenoma.

Hormone-Inactive Pituitary Adenoma

Unlike hormone-active ones, hormone-inactive pituitary adenomas (HIA) do not have particular disease symptoms. An endocrinological examination is carried out in the HIA case that has been noticed as an incidental finding during imaging without specific symptoms. After that, it is waited for an annual MRI check-up until the adenoma's apparent growth can be detected. Therapy is only necessary from a specific size or a certain growth rate.

Other Pituitary Tumors

Hormone-active tumors are differentiated in the hypophysis based on their hormone:

• Prolactinoma: Prolactin
• Growth hormone-producing pituitary tumor: called human growth hormone or somatotropin
• ACTH-producing pituitary tumor: adrenocorticotropic hormone

Symptoms of a Pituitary Adenoma

The symptoms caused by a pituitary adenoma or other pituitary tumor depend, among other factors, on the types of hormones involved. The tumor, like all brain tumors, may become noticeable by growing and displacing neighboring tissue. For example, the tumor may press on the optic nerve's junction (optic chiasm), causing characteristic visual loss.

Depending on which and whether the tumor produces hormones, other symptoms may also occur, as hormonal regulation is disturbed and under-or over-functioning endocrine organs. However, a tumor forming in the pituitary gland can also proceed without any symptoms at all. Many of these tumors remain undetected throughout life or are discovered only as an incidental finding.

How Are Pituitary Tumors Diagnosed?

If a pituitary tumor is suspected, imaging procedures are always required for diagnosis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is particularly suitable for imaging structures in the head. A blood examination is carried out to distinguish between a hormone-active and hormone-inactive tumor if a pituitary tumor is detected. A further distinction can be made between hormone-active tumors depending on which hormone is produced.

Therapy for Pituitary Adenoma

Surgical therapy is the treatment of choice.

In the case of a pituitary adenoma, the therapy - except in prolactinoma - consists of surgically removing the tumor. The triggered central disturbances are always an indication of urgency for surgery. Because of the pituitary gland's favorable location, the pituitary tumor can be removed through an approach via the nose. Complete removal is considered, but unfortunately not always possible. If a residual tumor remains after surgery, it is advisable to monitor it by regular MRI examinations and check-ups of hormone levels. Besides, patients must expect that surgery may be necessary again.

Medications for Prolactinoma

Hormone-active prolactinoma is a particular case in therapy. Small prolactinomas do not require surgical removal because they do not cause any symptoms other than hormone production, and they hardly grow. Drugs to inhibit prolactin release from the anterior pituitary gland and reduce the size of the adenoma are used for treatment. If the drugs are not tolerated or the tumor is too large, the therapy can surgically remove the pituitary tumor.

Radiation in Case of Recurrence or Tumor Residuals

Proton therapy can also be a treatment option. Interdisciplinary teams decide whether proton therapy can be used before, after, or as an alternative to surgery.

Pituitary adenoma irradiation by radiosurgery is used when the tumor could not be entirely removed by surgery or recurrence occurs.

The Prognosis for Pituitary Adenoma

Generally, a pituitary tumor does not take an immediately life-threatening course. Pituitary adenoma grows slowly and does not spread to other tissues. After surgical removal, regular check-ups should take place. In the case of a tumor recurrence, new surgery or radiation of the tumor may become necessary. If the check-ups remain negative for years, a cure can be assumed. After removing a pituitary tumor, the organ often becomes hypofunctional, resulting in hormone deficiency, then it becomes necessary to take hormones with medication.

Which Doctors and Clinics Are Specialized in Pituitary Adenoma?

Every patient who needs a doctor wants the best medical care. Therefore, the patient is wondering where to find the best clinic for pituitary adenoma. As this question cannot be answered objectively, and a reliable doctor would never claim to be the best one, we can only rely on the doctor’s experience.

Pituitary adenoma specialists may belong to different medical disciplines. Specialists carry out drug therapy in endocrinology. Specialists for pituitary surgery are specialists in neurosurgery.

We will help you find an expert for your condition. All listed doctors and clinics have been reviewed by us for their outstanding specialization in pituitary adenoma and are awaiting your inquiry or request for treatment.

Sources:

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