Pituary tumor question

I am going to have an MRI of pituitary glands and hypo glands.  What happens if it is a tumor?  What should I expect?

[horselip]

Hiya-
The MRI process is well described here: http://www.medhelp.org/medical-information/show/170/MRI

A radiologist who specializes in reading MRIS of the pituitary gland will look at all of the films and then summarize his/her findings into a report. This report will get sent to the doctor who referred you for the MRI.

Regardless of the resuts, the referring doctor will make an appointment to see you and discuss the report. They usually don't want the patient to get hold of the report before they can see you. Mostly because the medical terminology is intense and they don't want you running around freaking out before they have a chance to review thiings with you first, Sometimes thay can read mris themselves (mine do) and they will pull up the films on the computer that is in the exam rooms and show you what is going on.

One important thing ask the MRI tech for a copy of your MRI on a CD.

[Brucergoldberg]

I know this part, but im curious to know what happens IF there is a tumour or something else wrong.

[rumpled]

You should be sent to a neuro-endocrinologist for testing. The MRI will only show that there is a lesion, the testing will indicate the nature of the lesion and from there, it can be determined how it can be treated. Many of them can be treated with medication now, but some may require surgery.

[Brucergoldberg]

Hey Rumpled.  Thank you for the reply.  If only my parents sent me to medical school.....  do the medications make the tumours go away or treat the symptoms?

bruce

[rumpled]

It depends on the tumor. Many of them now will reduce the size of the tumor however they are long term - as in the rest of your life. Once you stop them, the tumor will likely re-grow.
Some can be short term to reduce size before surgery.

Yeah, I should have gone to med school too. I tease my hubby that just by going to appointments with me he can skip 3 years.