Pregnancy with Pituitary Adenoma

[bsally2011]

10 years ago I was diagnosed with a Pituitary Adenoma. As it is only small (7mm x 9mm) I have only been monitored ever since. Initially I had lots of MRI's/CT's/blood tests & Visual field tests. There has never been any reason for concern, no changes to vision, blood tests all good & no growth (thankfully) so these tests are only done annually now. I think it is just kind of 'there'!.


I was wondering if anyone on here is in the same position as me & has had children or in the process of trying for a baby?
My husband & I are keen to start a family & we have been told by my specialist that all should be normal when it comes to conceiving & that I may just need visual tests at each trimester.

My main worry is that pregnancy will cause the gland to swell therefore affecting my tumour as it currently 'sits' next to my optic nerve but isn't putting any pressure on it.

Any help massively appreciated!

Thank you x

[rumpled]

If I were you, I would be scared... Sorry but when someone tells me they are under treatment but they don't know the tumor type, I feel, as a fellow pituitary patient, that your treatment is lacking, and you deserve to get another opinion.

Let me put it this way... I found my tumor, was told to ignore it and 12 years later my life was destroyed. My story is not typical but is not rare. I was not able to pinpoint my tumor type for about 11 years.

It may happen that pregnancy will bring about a hormone vacation in that the body tries very hard to protect the baby but it will be a high risk pregnancy. Are you under the care of a pituitary center and do you know the tumor type? Some more than others will be made active by pregancy.

Of course having a baby is a great thing! I just am concerned about tumor type. There may be risk of sheehan's syndrome or apoplexy.

[rumpled]

You need another doctor. Your lesion is actually tending on the larger size for a pituitary lesion and you need to determine what type it is and your previous doctors have not done you well by not determining the type and getting you a treatment.

Size is relative in pituitary - 10mm is considered large and you are only 1mm away!  Unless you know the type, pregnancy could be a risk as it could grow during the pregnancy and depending on where the tumor sits, it could create issues.

Please find a pituitary center and get copies of your tests.

[bsally2011]

Not the most helpful reply, you have basically just put the fear of God into me!
I have an amazing Neuro Surgeon who specialises in Pituitary disorders, I see two different specialists & although not an expert in the area but my GP is brilliant also.
Because my tumour is so inactive & has been for at least 10years they are happy for me to start trying for a baby. I will need monitoring every trimester for visual field tests etc but surely they cannot advise me that it is safe to start trying if they had any doubts?