Signs associated with pituitary gland tumors include excessive growth, headaches, vision problems, and abnormalities in hormonal regulation.
Pituitary tumors are growths that develop in the pituitary gland, a small organ located at the base of the brain. This gland is often referred to as the "master endocrine gland" because it produces hormones that regulate the functions of many other body parts and acts as a control center for other hormone-producing glands.
Functioning Pituitary Tumors
Functioning pituitary tumors depend on the extra hormones they produce. These tumors can cause symptoms specific to the hormone they secrete.
Prolactin-secreting tumors (Prolactinomas)
Prolactinomas account for about 40% of pituitary tumors and can cause symptoms such as irregular or absent menstrual periods, infertility, galactorrhea (milk discharge from nipples), decreased libido, erectile dysfunction in men, acne, increased body or facial hair in women, low bone density, headaches, and vision changes if large.
Growth Hormone-secreting tumors (Acromegaly)
Acromegaly, caused by growth hormone-secreting tumors, presents with enlargement of hands and feet, facial feature changes, excessive sweating, headaches.
ACTH-secreting tumors (Cushing’s syndrome)
ACTH-secreting tumors (corticotroph adenomas) account for around 10-15% of pituitary tumors and can cause Cushing's syndrome, leading to symptoms such as weight gain in the upper body, increased fat on the upper back and neck, diabetes, high blood pressure, bone thinning, muscle weakness, pink or purple stretch marks on the abdomen or chest, easy bruising, hair growth on the face, arms, and upper back, anxiety, depression, and irritability.
TSH-secreting tumors
TSH-secreting tumors lead to hyperthyroid symptoms such as weight loss, palpitations, shakiness, heat intolerance, and sweating.
Nonfunctioning Pituitary Tumors
Nonfunctioning pituitary tumors do not produce excess hormones but cause symptoms mainly due to their size and pressure on adjacent structures or by impairing normal pituitary hormone production (hypopituitarism). Common symptoms include:
- Pressure effects: headaches, loss of peripheral vision or visual field defects, double vision, possibly cerebrospinal fluid leaks.
- Hypopituitarism symptoms: fatigue, weight changes, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, loose stools, dry skin and hair, thin bones, infrequent or absent menstruation, loss of libido, erectile dysfunction, mood changes.
Large nonfunctioning tumors can also cause hormone deficiency symptoms by destroying normal pituitary tissue.
Additional Severe Symptoms
Severe symptoms may occur if the tumor bleeds or causes sudden enlargement (pituitary apoplexy), presenting with a sudden, severe headache, vision problems, nausea/vomiting, altered mental status, and low blood pressure. This is a medical emergency.
If you experience any symptoms of pituitary tumors, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment. Doctors can treat the pituitary tumor to stabilize the levels of hormones and ease the symptoms it may cause.
- Pituitary tumors, known as the "master endocrine gland," can cause various medical-conditions depending on the hormones they secrete, such as prolactinomas, acromegaly, ACTH-secreting tumors, TSH-secreting tumors, and nonfunctioning pituitary tumors.
- Prolactinomas, accounting for about 40% of pituitary tumors, can lead to health issues like irregular menstrual periods, infertility, galactorrhea, decreased libido, and vision changes, among others.
- Acromegaly, arising from growth hormone-secreting tumors, brings on health-and-wellness concerns such as enlargement of hands and feet and facial feature changes, increasing the need for fitness-and-exercise regimens.
- ACTH-secreting tumors (corticotroph adenomas) can cause the severe and potentially life-threatening condition of Cushing’s syndrome, characterized by symptoms like weight gain, diabetes, high blood pressure, and easy bruising.
- Nonfunctioning pituitary tumors do not produce excess hormones but can still lead to neurological-disorders such as headaches, loss of peripheral vision, and impaired normal pituitary hormone production.
- Pituitary apoplexy, a severe symptom caused by pituitary tumor bleeds or sudden enlargement, demands prompt medical attention as it may bring on symptoms like a sudden, severe headache, vision problems, nausea/vomiting, altered mental status, and low blood pressure.
