Pituitary Tumors
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What are Pituitary Tumors?Is there any treatment?What is the prognosis?What research is being done?OrganizationsWhat are Pituitary Tumors?
Pituitary tumors are abnormal growths found in the pituitary gland, a small organ--about the size of a dime and located in
the center of the brain--which makes hormones that affect growth and the functions of other glands in the body. Most pituitary
tumors are benign, which means they are non-cancerous, grow slowly and do not spread to other parts of the body. A pituitary
tumor may make the pituitary gland produce too many hormones, which can cause other problems in the body. Tumors that make
hormones are called functioning tumors, while those that do not make hormones are called non-functioning tumors. Certain pituitary
tumors cause Cushing's disease in which fat builds up in the face, back and chest, and the arms and legs to become very thin.
Other pituitary tumors can cause acromegaly, a condition in which the hands, feet and face are larger than normal. Another
type of tumor can cause breasts to make milk even though there is no pregnancy. Symptoms of pituitary tumors may include headaches,
vision problems, nausea and vomiting, or any of the problems caused by the production of too many hormones such as infertility
or loss of menstrual periods in women, abnormal growth, high blood pressure, heat or cold intolerance, and other skin and
body changes.
Is there any treatment?
Pituitary tumors are best treated when they are found and diagnosed early. Treatments for pituitary tumors include surgical
removal of the tumor; radiation therapy, using high-doses of x-rays to kill tumor cells; and/or drug therapy, using certain
medications to block the pituitary gland from producing too many hormones. The most common treatment is surgery.
What is the prognosis?
Although prognosis depends on the type of pituitary tumor and the patient's age and general state of health, pituitary tumors
are usually curable.
What research is being done?
The NINDS supports and conducts a broad range of biomedical research on brain tumors, including pituitary tumors. Much of
this research is aimed at discovering the cause(s) of brain tumors, finding better treatments, and ultimately preventing and
curing them.
Select this link
to view a list of studies currently seeking patients.
Organizations
American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA)
2720 River Road
Suite 146
Des Plaines,
IL
60018-4117
info@abta.org
http://www.abta.org
Tel: 847-827-9910
800-886-2282
Fax: 847-827-9918
|
Brain Tumor Society
124 Watertown Street
Suite 3H
Watertown,
MA
02472-2500
info@tbts.org
http://www.tbts.org
Tel: 617-924-9997
800-770-TBTS (8287)
Fax: 617-924-9998
|
National Brain Tumor Foundation (NBTF)
22 Battery Street
Suite 612
San Francisco,
CA
94111-5520
nbtf@braintumor.org
http://www.braintumor.org
Tel: 415-834-9970
800-934-CURE (2873)
Fax: 415-834-9980
|
Pituitary Network Association
P.O. Box 1958
Thousand Oaks,
CA
91358
rnr@pituitary.org
http://www.pituitary.org
Tel: 805-499-9973
Fax: 805-480-0633
|
National Institute of Child Health and Human
Development (NICHD)
National Institutes of Health, DHHS
31 Center Drive, Rm. 2A32 MSC 2425
Bethesda,
MD
20892-2425
http://www.nichd.nih.gov
Tel: 301-496-5133
Fax: 301-496-7101
|
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive
and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
National Institutes of Health, DHHS
31 Center Drive, Rm. 9A06 MSC 2560
Bethesda,
MD
20892-2560
http://www.niddk.nih.gov
Tel: 301-496-3583
|
IRSA (International RadioSurgery Association)
3005 Hoffman Street
Harrisburg,
PA
17110
office@irsa.org
http://www.irsa.org
Tel: 717-260-9808
Fax: 717-260-9809
|
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Prepared by:
Office of Communications and Public Liaison
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD 20892
NINDS health-related material is provided for information purposes only and does not necessarily represent endorsement by
or an official position of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke or any other Federal agency. Advice
on the treatment or care of an individual patient should be obtained through consultation with a physician who has examined
that patient or is familiar with that patient's medical history.
All NINDS-prepared information is in the public domain and may be freely copied. Credit to the NINDS or the NIH is appreciated.
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Last updated February 14, 2007
