How to check for pituitary tumors?

Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
Updated on September 15, 2024
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For the examination of pituitary tumors, it can be conducted jointly through various methods such as inquiring about the patient's medical history based on symptoms and signs, as well as conducting endocrine and radiological examinations. Currently, with the continuous advancement in modern endocrinology, the use of endocrine radiology immunodiagnostic methods allows for the direct measurement of various hormones from the pituitary and hypothalamus, and functional tests of the pituitary can be performed. This helps in understanding whether there is hyperfunction in the pituitary and target organs, and provides an effective evaluation of early diagnosis of pituitary tumors, changes before and after treatment, and treatment efficacy, which is of significant importance. Additionally, judgments can also be made jointly through various methods such as cranial CT, cranial MRI, and enhanced MRI scanning of the pituitary gland.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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Can pituitary tumors cause headaches?

For patients with pituitary tumors, headaches may occur. Most patients in the early stages often experience mild headaches located behind the eye sockets, the forehead, and on both sides of the temporal area. These headaches are generally tolerable and occur intermittently. They are mostly caused by the stimulation of the tumor or the increased pressure inside the sella. When the tumor enlarges to a certain extent and breaks upward through the diaphragm sellae, headaches are often alleviated. However, if the tumor further grows into surrounding tissues, it might compress important blood vessels and nerves, resulting in recurring pain with increasing severity.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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Is a 2cm pituitary tumor big?

In the case of pituitary tumors, if the size reaches two centimeters, it is relatively large. Under normal circumstances, pituitary tumors can be classified into several types based on their size: microadenomas are generally smaller than one centimeter, macroadenomas are larger than 1.0 centimeter, and giant adenomas are larger than 3.0 centimeters. Usually, a two-centimeter pituitary tumor is already considered a macroadenoma. Normally, such large pituitary tumors often compress the surrounding pituitary tissue, causing hypofunction of the pituitary tissue and significant hormonal disturbances, which can lead to a range of uncomfortable symptoms and signs in patients.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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What to do if a pituitary tumor recurs?

If a pituitary tumor recurs, there is no need to worry excessively. Instead, it is advisable to actively visit the local hospital for a cranial MRI with contrast to determine the specific location and severity of the recurrent pituitary tumor. Treatment plans should be decided based on the patient's condition. For patients who are eligible for surgery, it is recommended to opt for surgical removal of the pituitary tumor again. If the patient is elderly and frail and cannot withstand surgery, conservative treatment is recommended. Treatment can be carried out through medication or radiation therapy, among other methods, to help improve symptoms and enhance the quality of life.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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Is a pituitary tumor serious?

Pituitary tumors are mostly benign. The tumors grow slowly, but due to their special location adjacent to the pituitary gland, when the size of the pituitary tumor increases to a certain extent, it will inevitably affect the pituitary, impairing its function and leading to pituitary dysfunction. This dysfunction manifests as endocrine hormonal imbalances, resulting in a series of symptoms and signs. Therefore, it is usually recommended to treat pituitary tumors surgically. Clinically, it is generally advised to choose the transnasal transsphenoidal approach for complete resection of the pituitary tumor.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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Pituitary tumors are located in the pituitary gland.

Pituitary tumors are benign tumors that grow slowly, mostly within the pituitary fossa. Due to their proximity to the pituitary gland, small pituitary tumors generally do not show obvious symptoms. However, as the tumor size increases, it can easily compress the pituitary gland, affecting its function, resulting in pituitary dysfunction and causing an endocrine hormone disorder. This leads to a variety of symptoms and signs in patients. A cranial CT or MRI, including an enhanced MRI scan of the pituitary, can reveal a high-density shadow in the pituitary fossa, indicating the presence of an intracranial mass.