Pituitary Adenoma Specialists in Mumbai, Maharashtra

What is Pituitary Adenoma?

A pituitary adenoma is a noncancerous tumour that develops in the pituitary gland, a small gland located at the base of the brain that produces and regulates many of the body's essential hormones. Most pituitary adenomas are benign and grow slowly, but depending on their size and whether they produce excess hormones, they can cause a wide range of effects, from no symptoms at all when small and hormonally inactive, to significant hormonal imbalances or pressure-related symptoms when larger or hormone-producing. Functioning adenomas that secrete excess hormone can cause specific syndromes depending on which hormone is overproduced, such as excess growth hormone or cortisol, while larger tumours can press on surrounding structures including the nerves responsible for vision, causing visual disturbances. Many small, non-functioning adenomas are discovered incidentally on brain imaging performed for unrelated reasons and require only monitoring. Treatment, when needed, is guided by the tumour's size, hormonal activity, and any symptoms it is causing, with options including medication, surgery, or radiation therapy.

Causes of Pituitary Adenoma

The exact cause of most pituitary adenomas is unknown, though they arise from abnormal, uncontrolled growth of cells within the pituitary gland. A small proportion of cases are linked to inherited genetic syndromes that predispose to tumours in multiple endocrine glands. Unlike many other tumours, lifestyle factors are not known to significantly contribute to the development of pituitary adenomas.

Symptoms of Pituitary Adenoma

Headaches, visual disturbances particularly loss of peripheral vision, symptoms related to specific hormone excess such as unusual growth, weight changes, or irregular periods, fatigue, in hormone-deficient cases symptoms of underactive thyroid or adrenal glands, irregular or absent menstrual periods, unexpected breast milk production

Treatment & Types of Pituitary Adenoma in Mumbai, Maharashtra

Treatment depends on the tumour's size, hormonal activity, and symptoms, with small, non-functioning adenomas often simply monitored with periodic imaging. Medications can effectively shrink or control hormone production in certain functioning adenomas, particularly those producing prolactin. Surgical removal, typically performed through the nose using minimally invasive techniques, is used for larger tumours, those causing visual problems, or those producing excess hormone not controlled by medication, with radiation therapy reserved for tumours that persist or recur after surgery.

Endocrinology & Diabetology Specialists in Mumbai, Maharashtra (0)

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