 |
Pituitary Tumors – Symptoms of Pituitary Tumors
Author: Corwin Brown   | Posted: 17-05-2008 | Comments: 0 | Views: 24 | Rating: (209)  (?) 
A pituitary tumor is an abnormal growth of cells within the pituitary gland. Most pituitary tumors are benign, which means they are non-cancerous, grow slowly and do not spread to other parts of the body, however they can make the pituitary gland produce too many hormones, which can cause problems in the body. Tumors that make hormones are called functioning tumors, and they can cause a wide array of symptoms depending upon the hormone affected. Tumors that don’t make hormones are called non-functioning tumors.
Their symptoms are directly related to their growth in size and include headaches, vision problems, nausea, and vomiting. Diseases related to hormone abnormalities include Cushing’s disease, in which fat builds up in the face, back and chest, and the arms and legs become very thin; and acromegaly, a condition in which the hands, feet, and face are larger than normal.
Most pituitary tumors are noncancerous (benign), nonspreading growths (adenomas). Adenomas remain confined to the pituitary gland or surrounding tissues and don't spread to other parts of your body. The pituitary gland is a small bean-shaped gland located at the base of your brain, somewhat behind your nose and between your ears. Despite its size, the gland influences nearly every part of your body. Its hormones help regulate important functions, such as growth, blood pressure and reproduction.
The main types of pituitary tumors are adenomas (non-cancerous) and carcinomas (cancerous). Other types of pituitary tumors include microadenomas and macroadenomas. Pituitary tumors are categorized even further based on whether or not they produce hormones and what kinds of hormones are produced. Examples of these forms of pituitary tumors include prolactin-producing tumors (prolactinomas), ACTH-producing tumors, and nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas.
Symptoms of Pituitary Tumors
Tumors that secrete hormones tend to be smaller than the pituitary gland when they're diagnosed. In fact, most pituitary tumors are microadenomas that measure 3 to 9 millimeters in diameter. Less common tumors are macroadenomas that are 10 millimeters or larger in diameter.
Pituitary tumors that produce hormones are called functioning tumors. Tumors that don't produce hormones are known as nonfunctioning pituitary tumors.
A large tumor can grow upwards out of the sella turcica and compress the optic nerves (optic chiasm). Frequently, this leads to a specific form of “tunnel vision” called bitemporal hemianopsia.
Pituitary disorders resemble other endocrine disorders and have a broad range of symptoms. Symptoms depend on the type and location of the tumor and cause hormone excess, hormone deficiency, or pressure on the brain and central nervous system.
Rare tumors lead to secretion of excess thyroid, producing tremors, weight loss, diarrhea, and a sense of constantly feeling hot. Cushing's syndrome occurs when there is excess adrenal secretion resulting in weight redistribution from the arms and legs to the trunk, thinning of the skin, rounding of the face (chipmunk facial appearance), fatigue, and hair thinning. When the back portion of the pituitary gland is affected the patient may notice excessive thirst and urination.
Pituitary tumor symptoms vary, depending on the size and location of the tumor. If the tumor grows large and presses on nearby parts of the brain, pituitary tumor symptoms, such as headaches or dizziness, can occur. A pituitary tumor can also press on the optic nerve, causing problems with vision.
In women, prolactinoma may cause irregular menstrual periods (oligomenorrhea), lack of menstrual periods (amenorrhea) and milky discharge from the breasts (galactorrhea).In men, a prolactin-producing tumor may cause male hypogonadism, which may involve signs and symptoms such as enlarged breasts (gynecomastia), erectile dysfunction (ED) or impotence, infertility, decrease in body hair, and loss of interest in sexual activity.
Rate this Article:
Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/pituitary-tumors-symptoms-of-pituitary-tumors-417198.html
|
Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free! |
|
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Q&A Powered by: 
Latest Diseases and Conditions Articles
Colon Health is the Key to a Long, Happy, Disease-free Life
By: Paul Rodgers | 26/07/2008
Colon therapy offers many health benefits including detoxification, cleansing of the bloodstream and the stimulation of internal organs. Additional benefits can often be observed throughout the body in the form of clearer skin, more energy and mental clarity, fewer headaches, with circulatory, immune and weight problems often improving, amongst many other positive side effects.
Colon Health is a Matter of Life and Death
By: Paul Rodgers | 26/07/2008
Herbal colon therapy is the cornerstone of much of our treatment for bowel conditions in the same way that endonasal therapy is the cornerstone for the treatment of ear, nose and throat diseases. To the uninitiated it might seem that the most obvious reason for the herbal colonic treatment would be for correcting constipation.
Ways Of Getting Back Pain Relief
By: Apurva Shree | 26/07/2008
Back pain can be a very distressing problem in your life. It will not only affect you physically but can be emotionally very depressing.Back pain can be a very distressing problem in your life.
Use Of Lower Back Pain Remedies
By: Apurva Shree | 26/07/2008
Back pain has now become a very common problem which can affect any age group. The pain in the lower back can be due to injury or accident, displaced disc, degenerated muscle etc. There are several exercises and stretches that can constitute a good lower backache remedy.
Use These Back Pain Relief Products For A Healthy Back
By: Apurva Shree | 26/07/2008
As back pain has emerged as the most common problem in present day, various back pain relief products have surfaced in the market. People rely a great deal on these products to get positive results.
How To Be Independent With Schizophrenia
By: Ronen David | 26/07/2008
When people suffer from schizophrenia mean the condition where a person may find it difficult to differentiate what is real and what is not
The Unnerving Symptoms Of Back Pain
By: Apurva Shree | 26/07/2008
Are you facing periodical pain in your spine, neck, shoulders, hips, and waist or while moving your hands? If yes, be careful. You could be facing the symptoms of back pain.
Why Osteoporosis Is Still The Silent Thief
By: Joseph Nyamache | 25/07/2008
Because of the high prevalence rates of more common diseases like AIDS and Diabetes, most people tend to ignore other diseases that are equally important in our lives such as osteoporosis
More from Corwin Brown
Glaucoma - Symptoms of Glaucoma
By: Corwin Brown | 03/06/2008 | Diseases and Conditions
There are two major types of glaucoma: open-angle glaucoma and acute closed-angle glaucoma. Most glaucoma patients have open-angle glaucoma. There are usually no signs or symptoms in the early stages of open-angle glaucoma. The first sign is usually loss of vision, which is why the disease is sometimes referred to as the "sneak thief of sight." Vision loss caused by glaucoma cannot be restored.
Coxsackie Virus – Information on Coxsackie Virus
By: Corwin Brown | 03/06/2008 | Diseases and Conditions
Coxsackie virus (also written as coxsackievirus) is a member of the Picornaviridae family of viruses in the genus termed Enterovirus. Coxsackie viruses are subtype members of Enterovirus that have a single strand of ribonucleic acid (RNA) for its genetic material. The Enteroviruses are also referred to as picornaviruses (pico means "small," so, "small RNA viruses"). Coxsackie virus was first isolated from human feces in the town of Coxsackie, New York, in 1948 by G. Dalldorf.
Coxsackie Virus – Symptoms, Causes and Treatment
By: Corwin Brown | 03/06/2008 | Diseases and Conditions
Infection usually is spread by fecal-oral contamination, although occasionally the virus is spread by droplets expelled by infected individuals. Items like utensils, diaper-changing tables, and toys that come in contact with body fluids that contain the virus may also transmit them to other individuals.
What is Fibrocystic Breast Disease?
By: Corwin Brown | 02/06/2008 | Diseases and Conditions
Fibrocystic breast disease is common and usually benign condition. Symptoms include swollen, tender breasts, and/or one or more lumps. Frequently, symptoms worsen just before a woman's menstrual cycle, subsiding near the end. For the majority of women these symptoms are a temporary discomfort; however some women experience severe pain.
Symptoms of Infertility
By: Corwin Brown | 02/06/2008 | Diseases and Conditions
The first obvious symptom of infertility is the inability to conceive. Unfortunately, most women or men won't discover their infertility until they have tried unsuccessfully to conceive for a period of time. Usually, it takes many tests and exams to come to the conclusion of an infertility diagnosis, but there are a few symptoms to be on the lookout for. A range of emotional and social problems and tensions between the couple regarding childlessness.
Fibrocystic Breast – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
By: Corwin Brown | 02/06/2008 | Diseases and Conditions
Fibrocystic breast condition is a common, non-cancerous condition that affects more than 50% of women at some point in their lives. The most common signs of fibrocystic breasts include lumpiness, tenderness, cysts (packets of fluid), areas of thickening, fibrosis (scar-like connective tissue), and breast pain.
Fever Blister – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
By: Corwin Brown | 02/06/2008 | Diseases and Conditions
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) can cause infections that affect the mouth, the face, the genitals, the skin, the buttocks, and the anal area. This article will concentrate on non-genital herpes. Many people acquire the virus and have no symptoms. For others, painful blisters appear near the area where the virus entered the body.
Fever Blister - Home Remedies for Fever Blister
By: Corwin Brown | 02/06/2008 | Diseases and Conditions
Fever blisters are caused more often by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) than herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). As a matter of fact, more than 85 percent of the world's population has been infected with HSV-1. These infections follow the usual course of herpes simplex virus infections in that the first outbreak is usually more painful and lasts longer than recurrent infections.
|
|
Health 
