Pituitary tumor

Alternative names:

tumor - pituitary

Definition:

A growth that arises in the pituitary gland.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The pituitary gland is a pea-sized endocrine gland located at the base of the brain. The pituitary gland regulates and controls the secretion of hormones from other endocrine glands and many body processes by producing a range of hormones.

Pituitary tumors constitute 10% of primary brain tumors. Most are located in the anterior pituitary (adenohypophysis). Most of the tumors are not malignant, but because their growth invades other structures, the tumors are considered a neoplasm. As the tumor grows, destruction of some of the hormone-secreting cells takes place and symptoms of underproduction of the pituitary gland result (hypopituitarism). Pituitary adenomas are the type of pituitary tumor that occurs in about 90% of cases, and the tumor may secrete hormones depending on the cell type of the adenoma. Some tumors produce an excess of certain hormones leading to giantism or acromegaly (growth hormone excess), hyperthyroidism (thyroid stimulating hormone excess), Cushing's syndrome (adrenocorticotropic hormone excess), or prolactinoma (prolactin excess). Craniopharyngiomas are benign, cystic, congenital tumors. The causes of pituitary tumors are unknown. The incidence is 1 out of 10,000 people.