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Pituitary Tumors
A pituitary tumor is a growth that forms within the pituitary gland, which is a small, pea-shaped organ in the center of the brain above the back of the nose. Most pituitary tumors are benign (noncancerous). However, in some cases they are cancerous -- these tumors can spread far from the pituitary gland through the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) or outside of the central nervous system.
Symptoms will vary, depending on the size and location of the tumor, among other factors. Some of the possible symptoms include:
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Vision problems.
Many treatment options are available for pituitary tumors, including:
- Surgery (removing the tumor in an operation)
- Radiation therapy (using high-dose x-rays to kill tumor cells)
- Drug therapy
- Chemotherapy.
(Click Pituitary Tumor to learn more about this topic, including how a diagnosis is made, factors affecting your treatment options, and more.)
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD