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Understanding the
Pituitary Gland

What is the pituitary gland?

The pituitary gland, or master gland, is a small, pea-sized gland located at the base of the brain. It’s just below the hypothalamus and surrounded by crucial areas of your brain, such as your temporal lobes and nerves that control smell and vision.

Posterior Pituitary Lobe

Kidney
Antidiruetic Hormone (ADH)
Uterus Smooth Muscle
Oxytocin
Mammary Glands
Oxytocin

Anterior Pituitary Lobe

Thyroid Gland
Thyroid Stimulating
Hormone (TSH)
Adrenal
Cortex
Adrenocortico-tropic Hormone (ACTH)
Mammary Glands
Prolactin
(PRL)
Skin
Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH)
Bones, tissues
Growth Hormone (GH)
Testis
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
Luteinizing hormone (LH)
Ovaries
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
Luteinizing hormone (LH)

What does the pituitary gland do?

The pituitary gland is referred to as the “master gland” because it plays such an integral role in regulating many key functions in our bodies and works in conjunction with other endocrine glands to produce hormones that regulate growth, metabolism, and reproduction.

It comprises two parts: the anterior lobe and the posterior lobe.

The anterior lobe produces six hormones – FSH, LH, TSH, ACTH, GH, and PRL – that are responsible for spermatogenesis/ovulation (FSH and LH), thyroid function (TSH), cortisol production (ACTH), metabolism/body composition (GH), and milk production (PRL).

The posterior lobe secretes oxytocin to aid in childbirth and vasopressin which helps in water regulation. Together, these hormones help maintain homeostasis throughout the body's systems.

Symptoms that you may have with a pituitary tumor

In some cases, pituitary tumors don’t cause symptoms and are only found during an imaging test such as an MRI or CT scan that’s being done for another reason. However, many tumors do cause symptoms that can be broken down in two categories:

Symptoms caused by pressure

Since the pituitary gland is near vital areas of the brain, the tumor (or macroadenoma) can put pressure on these areas which causes symptoms like:

Symptoms caused by hormone decrease

Macroadenomas can impede the pituitary gland from releasing hormones in the required amount. As a result, symptoms may include:

What's the difference between a cancerous and non-cancerous tumor?

The main difference between a cancerous pituitary tumor and a non-cancerous one is the rate at which they grow. A non-cancerous pituitary tumor is usually slow growing, while a cancerous one typically grows more quickly and aggressively.

Other symptoms may also be present to indicate whether or not it is cancer, such as headaches and vision changes for tumors that are located near the optic nerve. In either case, it is important to consult with your doctor if you suspect there may be an issue with your pituitary gland in order to receive the proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

Treatment options will vary depending on the type, size, and location of the tumor, but may include surgery, radiation therapy and/or medication.

Regardless of whether it is cancerous or not, a pituitary tumor can have serious implications if left untreated and can lead to long-term health problems. It is important to seek help from your doctor to get the proper treatment for your specific situation as soon as possible.

Keeping your pituitary gland healthy

Malfunctioning of the pituitary gland can lead to a wide range of health issues such as infertility, obesity, and diabetes.

In order to ensure that your pituitary gland remains healthy, it is important to eat a balanced diet and get regular exercise. Additionally, managing stress levels and getting plenty of sleep can help keep the pituitary gland functioning properly.

Regular visits to your doctor and any necessary tests can also help monitor your pituitary gland’s health. In the event of a problem, early detection and prompt medical intervention can help prevent any long-term issues from developing. Taking care of your pituitary gland is an important part of staying healthy and should not be overlooked.

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Other FAQs

How common are pituitary tumors?

Pituitary tumors, also known as pituitary adenomas, are a relatively common type of tumor. It is estimated that approximately 1 in every 1,000 people has a pituitary tumor. Most of these tumors are noncancerous (benign), and most will not cause any symptoms or require treatment. However, some pituitary tumors can be cancerous (malignant) and can grow larger over time. In addition, certain types of pituitary tumors may secrete hormones excessively, leading to hormonal imbalances or other complications. As such, it is important for individuals with a diagnosis of a pituitary tumor to receive regular follow-up care and monitoring from their doctor.

What causes pituitary tumors?

The exact cause of most pituitary tumors is unknown; however, certain risk factors may increase an individual’s likelihood of developing one. These risk factors include age – typically, those over 20 years old are more likely to develop a tumor – and gender (males tend to develop them more often than females). There also appears to be some genetic component associated with the development of pituitary tumors; in fact, up to 10% of patients diagnosed with a pituitary tumor have family members who have had similar diagnoses. In addition, certain illnesses and medications have been linked to developing these types of tumors.

How are pituitary tumors diagnosed?

Diagnosis typically begins with taking a detailed medical history and physical examination by a healthcare professional. If additional evaluation is needed, imaging tests – such as MRI scans– can help detect the presence of abnormal growths in the brain or on the brain's surface. Blood tests may also be used to measure levels of hormones present in the body; high levels could potentially indicate excess hormone production by an underlying tumor. Finally, biopsies may be taken from suspected areas for further testing and analysis to confirm diagnosis or determine whether malignancy is present.

What are the treatments for pituitary tumors?

Treatment options for pituitary tumors vary depending on the size and type of tumor present and its associated symptoms. Common treatment approaches include medication therapy, radiation therapy, transsphenoidal surgery, stereotactic radiosurgery, and endoscopic endonasal surgery. Medications may be used both before and after surgery to reduce excess hormone production and decrease swelling within the brain caused by large growths/masses. Radiation therapy is often utilized when surgical removal is not an option due to its ability to shrink tumorous growths while preserving surrounding tissue. Transsphenoidal surgery involves accessing the skull via one’s nose to remove part or all of an existing mass. This is commonly used when dealing with benign growths or those that have not fully developed yet. Stereotactic radiosurgery utilizes powerful beams of radiation guided by MRI scans to target specific areas within one’s skull. This technique can potentially provide greater accuracy during treatment without causing excessive damage. Endoscopic endonasal surgery involves accessing pockets inside one’s nasal cavity to remove small pieces or entire masses at once while minimizing tissue trauma.

Is surgery necessary to treat pituitary tumors?

For certain types and sizes/locations of pituitary tumors (i.e., those growing behind other parts/structures located deep within one's skull), surgical removal may not always be necessary or even possible depending on their location/size relative to other structures/vital organs around them. For instance, if a mass found near your optic nerve cannot safely be accessed without risking permanent damage it may not be removable via traditional means. Other times, smaller noncancerous growths can usually be managed through medication alone without having a need for invasive measures. All cases should ultimately be discussed between the patient and physician in order to determine the best course of action moving forward.

Are there any long-term side effects associated with treatment for pituitary tumors?

Yes - depending on what type/route of treatments are employed, there could exist potential long-term side effects post treatment due to changes made in physiological makeup/structure during the procedure itself. Examples of side effects include vision difficulty occurring after transsphenoidal surgeries due to disruption of optic nerves during operation. Radiation therapies employed destroy nearby healthy cells resulting in scarring inflammation—both of which possibly lead to delayed healing and increased risk of infection if untreated and not properly monitored afterward. Medications prescribed following surgeries might also pose various side effects such as: headaches, dizziness, nausea, or fatigue depending upon the individual patient response. It’s important to keep open lines of communication between you and your doctor to ensure proper follow-up and appropriate management of any lingering issues arising during the posttreatment period.

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