What are the symptoms of a pituitary tumor?
The symptoms of a pituitary tumor depend on two issues: 1) the size and location of the tumor (tumor mass effects), and 2) whether or not the tumor is producing too much or too little hormone (endocrine function). When a tumor is large enough to compress the optic chiasm (where the optic [eye] nerves come together) there may be loss of vision, particularly peripheral vision. Very occasionally tumors may cause double vision. Headache may also occur; the type of headache varies from patient to patient. Headache may occur with a large or a small tumor. Some tumors overproduce hormones. The most common of these is a prolactin producing tumor (prolactinoma), followed in frequency by growth hormone producing tumors (acromegaly) and the by ACTH tumors (Cushing’s disease) and rare TSH producing tumors. The overproduction of these hormones causes specific problems (see below and refer to sections on acromegaly and prolactinoma and any articles on these tumors). A tumor may also interfere with n
The symptoms of a pituitary tumor depend on two issues: 1) the size and location of the tumor (tumor mass effects), and 2) whether or not the tumor is producing too much or too little hormone (endocrine function). When a tumor is large enough to compress the optic chiasm (where the optic [eye] nerves come together) there may be loss of vision, particularly peripheral vision. Very occasionally tumors may cause double vision. Headache may also occur; the type of headache varies from patient to patient. Headache may occur with a large or a small tumor. Some tumors overproduce hormones. The most common of these is a prolactin producing tumor (prolactinoma), followed in frequency by growth hormone producing tumors (acromegaly) and the by ACTH tumors (Cushing’s disease) and rare TSH producing tumors. The overproduction of these hormones causes specific problems (see below and refer to sections on acromegaly and prolactinoma and any articles on these tumors).
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. A tumor may interfere with normal pituitary function causing hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone level), adrenal insufficiency (low cortisol level), hypogonadism (loss of sexual function in men, loss of menstrual periods or infertility in women). Occasionally a pituitary tumor causes diabetes insipidus which results in frequent urination and excessive thirst. Diabetes insipidus is not high blood sugar levels, it is a problem with the ability of the kidney to retain fluid because of a deficiency of the pituitary hormone, vasopressin (also called antidiuretic hormone).
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. A tumor may interfere with normal pituitary function causing hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone level), adrenal insufficiency (low cortisol level), hypogonadism (loss of sexual function in men, loss of menstrual periods or infertility in women). Occasionally a pituitary tumor causes diabetes insipidus, which results in frequent urination and excessive thirst. Diabetes insipidus is not high blood sugar levels; it is a problem with the ability of the kidney to retain fluid because of a deficiency of the pituitary hormone, vasopressin (also called antidieuretic hormone). Specific types of tumors cause various symptoms and changes in body function. Prolactino
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 come together, located above the pituitary gland). Headache may also occur; the type of headache varies from patient to patient. Headache may occur with a large or a small tumor. A tumor may interfere with normal pituitary function causing hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone level), adrenal insufficiency (low cortisol level), hypogonadism (loss of sexual function and fertility in men, loss of menstrual periods or fertility problems in women). Occasionally a pituitary tumor causes diabetes insipidus, which results in frequent urination and excessive thirst. Diabetes insipidus is not high blood sugar levels; it is a problem with the ability of the kidney to retain fluid because of a deficiency of the pituitary hormone, vasopressin (also called antidieuretic hormone) that regulates water balance
