What causes a pituitary tumor to develop?
Pituitary tumors are common. In autopsy studies of patients who did not have known pituitary disease, as many as 26% had a small tumor (adenoma) in the gland. Molecular biology studies have shown that a change in the DNA of pituitary cells can cause unregulated growth of a particular cell type resulting in a pituitary tumor, called an adenoma. There are no known environmental causes. Very uncommonly, pituitary tumors may be inherited.
Pituitary tumors are common. In autopsy studies of patients who did not have known pituitary disease, as many as 26% had a small tumor (adenoma) in the gland. Molecular biology studies have shown that a change in the DNA (genetic mutation) of a pituitary cell can cause unregulated growth of that cell resulting in a pituitary tumor, called an adenoma. There are no known environmental causes. A very uncommon type of pituitary tumor is inherited, this is called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia, Type I. In this situation, there is usually a family history of endocrine tumors, most commonly a parathyroid tumor causing high blood calcium levels, a pituitary tumor which may or may not produce an excessive amount of a hormone and less commonly, a neuroendocrine tumor of the pancreas. This occurs in fewer than 4% of patients with a pituitary tumor.
Pituitary tumors are common. In autopsy studies of patients who did not have known pituitary disease, as many as 26% had a small tumor (adenoma) in the gland. Molecular biology studies have shown that a change in the DNA of pituitary cells can cause unregulated growth of a particular cell type resulting in a pituitary tumor. There are no known environmental causes. An uncommon type of pituitary tumor is inherited, this is called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia, Type I. In this situation, there is usually a family history of endocrine tumors, most commonly a parathyroid tumor, a pituitary tumor or less commonly, a tumor of the pancreas. This occurs in less than 4% of patients with a pituitary tumor.
