Pituitary Adenoma

A pituitary adenoma is a non-cancerous growth in the pituitary gland. Most pituitary adenomas are microadenomas, meaning that they are smaller than are smaller than 10 millimeters. Pituitary adenomas larger than 10 millimeters are called macroadenomas. Symptoms of these tumors vary, but may include headaches, vomiting, and dizziness. Treatment options for a pituitary adenoma may include surgery, radiation therapy, and drug therapy.

 

Pituitary Adenoma: An Introduction

A pituitary adenoma is a benign (non-cancerous) growth in the pituitary gland.
 

Understanding the Pituitary

The pituitary gland, sometimes called the master gland, plays a critical role in regulating growth and development, metabolism, and reproduction. The pituitary gland produces a number of key hormones, including:
 
  • Prolactin, which stimulates the breasts to produce milk during pregnancy. After delivery of the baby, a mother's prolactin levels fall unless she breastfeeds her infant. Each time the baby nurses, prolactin levels rise to maintain milk production.
     
  • Growth hormone, which regulates growth.
     
  • ACTH (adrenocorticotropin), which stimulates the adrenal glands to produce cortisol.
     
  • Thyrotropin, which signals the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormone.
     
  • Luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone, which regulate ovulation and estrogen and progesterone production in women, and sperm formation and testosterone production in men.
     
The pituitary gland sits in the middle of the head in a bony box called the sella turcica. The optic nerves sit directly above the pituitary gland. Enlargement of the gland can cause localized symptoms, such as headaches or visual disturbances.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD