A pituitary adenoma is a tumor-that is, a growth of tissue in which cells multiply in an uncontrolled manner. Adenomas are located just next to, or within the pituitary gland. The adenoma can be much smaller than the gland when the symptoms it causes become noticeable and the adenoma is diagnosed. Most pituitary adenomas are 'microadenomas', which measure 3 to 9 mm (1/8 to 3/8 of an inch) in diameter, although a few patients have 'macroadenomas', which are 10 mm or larger in diameter.

No, It can produce endocrine problems by which it may be suspected and then subsequently detected by CT scan.

No. The Pituitary adenoma has to grow considerably (approximately 10 mm above) to press on the chiasma to produce field defects.

Pituitary adenomas are benign tumors which arise from the pituitary gland itself. They are almost never malignant. Pituitary tumors can be either secretory or non-secretory, referring to whether they overproduce pituitary hormones. Secretory tumors cause disease because of the excess quantities of hormones which they secrete (release) into the bloodstream. The most common type of secretory pituitary tumor is termed a prolactinoma.

The pituitary is a small, pea-sized gland located at the base of the brain that functions as "The Master Gland." From its lofty position above the rest of the body it sends signals to the thyroid gland, adrenal glands, ovaries and testes, directing them to produce thyroid hormone, cortisol, estrogen, testosterone, and many more. These hormones have dramatic effects on metabolism, blood pressure, sexuality, reproduction, and other vital body functions.

A pituitary tumor is an abnormal growth of pituitary cells. Pituitary tumors can either be nonfunctional (that is they do not secrete hormones) or produce specific hormones, such as prolactin (causing infertility, decreased libido, and osteoporosis), growth hormone (causing acromegaly), ACTH (causing Cushing's), TSH (causing hypothyroidism), or be nonfunctional (that is they do not produce hormones).

A pituitary tumor is a tumor that begins in the pituitary gland. Most pituitary tumors are not cancer. In fact, cancerous pituitary tumors are so rare that state and national cancer agencies keep no record of how many people get them each year. Benign (non-cancerous) pituitary tumors are also rare. About 3,000 people get them each year.

The pituitary gland is a small gland located behind the nasal sinuses and above the roof of the mouth at the base of the skull. It is connected to the hypothalamus, a part of the brain. Together, the two control the production of many of the important hormones in the body. The pituitary gland sits in a tight bony space and has little room to grow or expand when swollen or if there is a tumor.

CDI itself does not interfere with menstruation or fertility. However, it may be associated with these or other problems if the disease or injury that caused the DI also damages adjacent parts of the brain or pituitary where other hormones are normally produced. Head trauma is one of the things that can cause this kind of collateral damage, but it does not always do so. Therefore, each patient with CDI must be evaluated separately to determine if any of the other hormones have been affected.

Tumors (overwhelmingly benign), inflammation, infections and injury can cause the gland to malfunction, as well as metastasis or spread of other tumors to the pituitary (rare). Radiation therapy to the brain can also cause normal pituitary cells to malfunction.

It depends on the type of tumor and how far it has invaded into the brain, as well as the patient's age and overall health. Three kinds of treatment are used: surgery (removing the tumor during an operation), radiation therapy (using high-dose x-rays/proton beams to kill tumor cells) and drug therapy to shrink and sometimes eradicate the tumor. Drugs can also block the pituitary gland from making too much hormone.

Pituitary tumors that affect hormones may cause a variety of symptoms, which are related to high hormone levels and production. These symptoms will be different in children than in adults. Growth hormone-secreting adenomas in children may cause: Other more rare kinds of pituitary tumors cause other symptoms. It is important for anyone who is experiencing any unusual symptoms to see their doctor.

This depends on the type of tumor and the size of the tumor. A large tumor may cause loss of vision, particularly peripheral vision, if it compresses the optic chiasm (where the optic [eye] nerves converge). Headache may also occur; the type of headache varies from patient to patient. Headache may occur with a large or a small tumor.

ACTH deficiency: ACTH stimulates the adrenal glands to produce cortisol. Cortisol is essential for life. When cortisol is inadequate, patients experience fatigue, weakness, weight loss, nausea and vomiting, low blood pressure and may develop shock and die unless treated. TSH deficiency: TSH stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormone. Low thyroid hormone causes fatigue (loss of energy), weight gain, constipation, dry skin, and feeling cold.

Pituitary disorders can cause a wide spectrum of symptoms, both hormonal and neurological, due to its location near the brain, the intracranial nerves and blood vessels and because of the vital hormonal control that the gland provides. Diagnosis of pituitary disease may be extremely difficult because it's often confused with other disorders. It is dependent on symptoms, signs on examination, blood tests and MRI findings. Direct access to the pituitary can only be reached at surgery.

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) causes the thyroid gland to produce and release thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormone controls the basal metabolic rate and plays an important role in growth and maturation. Thyroid hormones affect almost every organ in the body. Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) triggers the adrenals to release the hormone cortisol, which regulates carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism and blood pressure.