Pituitary Tumors
Pituitary tumors are abnormal growths that develop in your pituitary gland. Some pituitary tumors result in too much of the hormones that regulate important functions of your body. Some pituitary tumors can cause your pituitary gland to produce lower levels of hormones.
Most pituitary tumors are noncancerous (benign) growths (adenomas). Adenomas remain in your pituitary gland or surrounding tissues and don't spread to other parts of your body.
Symptoms
Not all pituitary tumors cause symptoms. Sometimes they are identified incidentally on an imaging test such as an MRI or CT performed for some other reason. Pituitary tumors that make hormones (functioning) can cause a variety of signs and symptoms depending on the hormone they produce. The signs and symptoms of pituitary tumors that don't make hormones (nonfunctioning) are related to their growth and the pressure they put on other structures.
Large pituitary tumors — those measuring about 1 centimeter (slightly less than a half-inch) or larger — are known as macroadenomas. Smaller tumors are called microadenomas. Because of the size of macroadenomas, they can put pressure on the normal pituitary gland and nearby structures.
Causes
The cause of uncontrolled cell growth in the pituitary gland, which creates a tumor, remains unknown.
The pituitary gland is a small, bean-shaped gland situated at the base of your brain, somewhat behind your nose and between your ears. Despite its small size, the gland influences nearly every part of your body. The hormones it produces help regulate important functions, such as growth, blood pressure and reproduction.
A small percentage of pituitary tumor cases run in families, but most have no apparent hereditary factor. Still, scientists suspect that genetic alterations play an important role in how pituitary tumors develop.
Treatment
Options
Surgery, radiation and chemotherapy may be used to treat cancer in the nasal cavity or sinuses. If the tumor is small, it can often be removed using an endoscopic, minimally invasive approach. If a tumor has spread into the cheek, eye, brain, nerves or other key structures in the skull, an open surgical approach is often required. The surgeons at Sensa Health are expert at both the endoscopic and open surgical treatment of these cancers.
Cancerous nasal cavity or sinus tumors are rare, with only about 2,000 being diagnosed in the United States each year.
Men are more likely to get sinus cancer than women.
The most common age for diagnosis of the condition is in the 50s and 60s.
Smoking is a major risk factor for nose and sinus cancer. Exposure to various substances and vapors also may play a role.
These cancers are treated with radiation, chemotherapy and surgery, which can be minially invasive depending on the size of the tumor.
Schedule Your Consultation
If you are suffering from a pituitary tumor, the first step towards feeling better is to schedule an evaluation with an experienced ear, nose and throat doctor. Board certified and fellowship trained in rhinology, our physician at Sensa Health has extensive experience diagnosing and treating a wide variety of nose conditions. Call or text our office at 213-267-2256 to schedule an appointment today.