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the Southwest’s Pituitary Experts

Pituitary Tumors Overview

A pituitary tumor, or pituitary adenoma, is an abnormal growth of cells within or around the pituitary gland, a pea-sized organ located at the base of the brain and behind the bridge of the nose. The pituitary gland is referred to as the “master gland” because it monitors and regulates bodily functions through the hormones that it produces.

Most pituitary tumors are non-cancerous growths called adenomas, which do not spread to other parts of the body. However, pituitary adenomas can cause the pituitary gland to produce too many or too few hormones, causing a variety of symptoms. Large pituitary tumors, or macroadenomas, can put pressure on nearby nerves, regions of the brain, or the pituitary gland itself.

Pituitary Tumor Symptoms

The symptoms can vary depending on whether or not the tumor is producing excess hormones, as well as which hormones are affected. Symptoms can also be caused by the tumor putting pressure on the pituitary gland or nearby regions of the brain. Some people with pituitary tumors may experience no symptoms at all.

Some common symptoms include:

• Vision problems
• Headaches
• Nausea and vomiting
• Unexplained weight change
• Menstrual cycle changes in women
• Sexual dysfunction

Please note that the presence of these symptoms alone do not mean that you have a pituitary tumor. Thorough evaluation by a medical professional is required to determine if you have a pituitary tumor. If you are experiencing an emergency, please dial 9-1-1.

Pituitary Tumor Treatments

Fortunately, most pituitary tumors do not require treatment and patients can take a “wait and see” attitude. This involves routine checkups and imaging to make sure that the tumor is not causing problems. If you are diagnosed with a pituitary tumor (adenoma), you should have a detailed evaluation to determine if the tumor is causing problems.

Treatment may be needed if your tumor does start to cause symptoms or threaten nearby areas of your brain. Treatment options for pituitary tumors include:

• Surgery
• Radiation therapy
• Medication to control hormone levels

Treatment depends on the type, size, and location of the tumor. For some tumors, a combination of treatments may be used.

In some cases, the pituitary tumor can be removed through the nostrils so there is no external incision. This is known as transsphenoidal surgery. Larger, more complicated pituitary tumors may require the surgical opening of your skull, called a craniotomy, to access and remove the tumor.

Gamma Knife radiosurgery can be used to treat pituitary tumors non-invasively, allowing you to go home on the same day as your treatment and without the pain and risk of complications associated with traditional surgery.

Location of the Pituitary Gland

The pituitary gland is located at the base of the brain, behind the bridge of the nose. It is about one-half inch (1.25 cm) in diameter. The pituitary gland rests within a hollowed out area of the sphenoid bone called the sella turcica.

Function of the Pituitary Gland

The pituitary gland is referred to as the “master gland” because it monitors and regulates many bodily functions through the hormones that it produces, including:

• Growth and sexual/reproductive development and function
• Glands (thyroid gland, adrenal glands, and gonads)
• Organs (kidneys, uterus, and breasts)

The pituitary gland is connected by a stalk to a part of the brain called the hypothalamus. Together, the brain and pituitary gland form the neuroendocrine system. This system constantly monitors glands and organs to determine whether to send or to stop the chemical messengers (hormones) that control their functions.

Anatomy of the Pituitary Gland

The pituitary has two lobes, the anterior and the posterior lobe. Each of the two lobes of the pituitary gland contains different types of cells and produces different types of hormones.

The anterior lobe makes up about 80% of the pituitary gland. It regulates growth, metabolism, and reproduction through the hormones that it produces. The production of these hormones is either stimulated or inhibited by chemical messages sent from the hypothalamus to the pituitary.

• Human growth hormone (HGH or GH)
• Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
• Adrenocorticotrophin hormone (ATCH)
• Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
• luteinizing hormone (LH)
• prolactin

The posterior lobe produces two hormones, vasopressin and oxytocin. These hormones are released when the hypothalamus sends messages to the pituitary gland through nerve cells.

• Vasopressin is also known as antidiuretic hormone (ADH). It acts on the kidney to conserve water and is important in fluid and electrolyte balance.
• Oxytocin stimulates the contraction of the smooth muscles of the uterus, which is important during childbirth. Oxytocin also contracts the smooth muscle of the breast for milk production.

Mastering the Master Gland: The Most Experienced Center in the Southwest

No other hospital in the Southwest performs more pituitary surgeries on a yearly basis than Barrow Neurological Institute. In fact, 2018 we performed six times as many pituitary procedures as any other hospital in the state. Patients travel from around the country to come to Barrow. Patients who have surgery by an experienced surgeon have better outcomes than patients who have surgery by a surgeon who only performs the surgery a few times a year.

This experience means that our doctors and nurses have seen nearly every kind of pituitary tumor and disorder imaginable. With this exposure, they have gained invaluable insight that helps them be efficient and effective in administering your care.

Team Approach

Many pituitary disorders can cause problems in your body far beyond the pituitary gland. Our location at Dignity Health St. Joseph’s—the largest hospital in Arizona—means that Barrow patients also have access to a tremendous array of specialists.

Clinical Trials and Research

Not only is Barrow a place to receive the most advanced treatment and care for your pituitary tumor or disorder, we are also a place where you can help contribute to the scientific understanding and therapeutic research surrounding acromegaly, adenomas, gigantism, and other disorders that implicate the pituitary gland.

Certified Neuroscience Nurses

The experience of our staff doesn’t drop off outside of our neurosurgeons and neurologists. All of our nurses at the Barrow Pituitary Center are required to undergo additional rigorous training in the nuances and complexities of advanced neuroscience nursing practice. This guarantees that whenever you see a Barrow nurse at your bedside, you will know you are receiving expert care.

In fact, many of the surgical treatments and medical protocols used on patients here were researched and developed on site and have spread to many other top hospitals the world over

All of Your Appointments on One Campus

Because there is such a diversity of medical knowledge within minutes of our doors, odds are that you will be able to concentrate all of your necessary care under one roof. At Barrow, we refer to this as having a “medical home.” And, as you would expect with anyplace called home, with it comes convenience, comfort, and compassionate care.