Pituitary tumors are growth that develops in the pituitary gland, and this small, pea-sized gland is located behind the nose at the base of the brain. The main function of the pituitary gland is to make hormones that help to control many important body functions. When a tumor develops in the pituitary gland, some tumors cause the gland to make too many hormones or too few hormones, meaning it can imbalance the function of the pituitary gland.

Pituitary glands are known as master glands because they send a chemical message that tells other glands in the body when to start or stop making hormones. In this way, it helps coordinate growth, metabolism, stress response and reproduction. But the other part of the brain, known as the hypothalamus, helps to direct the pituitary. The hypothalamus monitors hormone levels and sends signals to keep them balanced. Most of the tumors are not cancer, as these are called benign pituitary tumors and grow slowly, as they do not spread to other parts of the body. If they grow fast and spread to other parts of the body, they are known as pituitary gland cancer.

Pituitary vision loss can develop when a large-sized tumor grows upward from the pituitary gland, and it makes an impact on the optic nerve. Not every pituitary tumor affects eyesight; small tumors may cause hormonal problems, but large-sized tumors are more likely to affect nearby structures, such as loss of side vision, reduced eyesight and double vision. Different methods are available to treat pituitary gland tumors, as the tumor may be removed with surgery, or the growth can be controlled with medication or radiation therapy.

Symptoms Of Pituitary Tumor

Not all tumors cause symptoms; a brain MRI or brain CT done for some other reason can find tumors in these imaging tests. If tumors do not cause any symptoms, they usually don’t need any treatment, and symptoms can happen when the tumor presses on the brain or nearby area. Some common symptoms can be caused by tumor pressure, including:

Headache
Vision problems, especially loss of side vision or double vision
Facial numbness or pain
Drooping eyelid
Seizures

Some medicines used to treat pituitary tumors can cause dizziness while standing.

Symptoms From Hormone Changes

Low amount of hormones: It becomes hard for the pituitary gland to make hormones due to large pituitary tumors.
Tiredness or weakness
Low energy
Loss of body hair
Sexual issues
Changes in menstrual cycles
Feeling cold
Losing or gaining without trying

High amount of Hormones:

When a tumor causes too much ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone), the adrenal gland makes too much cortisol. This causes a condition called Cushing disease, and due to Cushing disease, Cushing syndrome is caused; the symptoms may include:

Weight gain and fatty tissues around the belly, chest and upper back
A rounded face
Stretch marks
Depression or anxiety
Thin skin that bruises easily
Thinning arms and legs with muscle weakness
Thicker or more visible body hair
Slow healing of cuts, insect bites and infections
Darkened skin
Changes in menstrual cycle

Pituitary Gland That Makes Growth Hormone

Some tumors make too much growth hormone; these tumors are called somatotroph adenomas, and the symptoms may include:-

Changes in facial features, such as larger lips, nose and tongue; a prominent brow; and a wide space between teeth.
Larger feet and hands
Snoring or sleep apnea
Thicker skin
More sweating or body odor
High blood pressure
High blood sugar
A deeper voice
A gigantic condition, in which teens and young adults experience faster growth and unusual height.

Pituitary Tumor That Makes Thyroid – Stimulating Hormone

Thyroid-stimulating hormones are responsible for the thyroid gland releasing too much thyroxine, which can cause hyperthyroidism, also known as an overactive thyroid disease. This condition can speed up the metabolism of the body, and symptoms may include:

Unplanned weight loss
A fast or irregular heartbeat
Nervousness, anxiety or irritability
Frequent bowel moments
Sweating
Shaking or tremors
Sleep trouble

Types Of Pituitary Gland Tumor

Non-functioning pituitary tumors
Functioning tumor
Prolactinoma
Acromegaly
Cushing’s disease

When To See A Doctor

If you experience symptoms that could be related to the pituitary gland, you should see a health care provider. Proper treatments can bring hormones back to a healthy level and ease symptoms. Usually, Pituitary gland tumors are not inherited, but in rare cases, they can run in families. If someone has a pituitary gland tumor in your family, then you can talk to a professional health care provider about tests that may help to find a pituitary tumor early. Pituitary tumors are uncommon but not rare, as nearly 100 people in 100,000 are living with this disease and need medical treatment. Every year, 4 to 7 people in 100,000 are newly diagnosed with a pituitary gland tumor.

Conclusion

The pituitary gland is a pea-sized hormonal gland that sits at the base of your brain, just behind the nose. The main function of this gland is to produce and release hormones that control important functions throughout the body, such as reproduction and how the body uses energy. Usually, pituitary gland tumors are not cancerous, as they do not spread to other parts of the body. They can cause hormone imbalances and vision problems that depend on the size and location of the tumor. The size, location and type of tumor can be diagnosed with dedicated MRI scans and CT scans, and these tests also show whether the tumor is responsible and help determine treatment.

It is important to see a doctor if you note symptoms such as severe headache and vision changes. The good news is that it is treatable, and effective treatments restore vision, but some people experience long-term hormonal effects. For better results, it is important to attend all your follow-up appointments and follow your professional health care provider’s treatment plan.

If you note any symptoms mentioned above and are looking for a professional and well-experienced neurosurgeon in Ludhiana, then you can book an appointment with Jhawar Neuro Hospital. Dr Sukhdeep Singh Jhawar is a professional brain and spine surgeon who has 15 years of experience.

FAQs

Does pituitary tumor vision loss affect one eye or both?

Although optic chiasm compression commonly affects the vision of both eyes, an asymmetrical tumor can affect the vision of only one eye.

Does a pituitary gland tumor need surgery to treat the vision loss problem?

Not always, but specialist treatment is needed to confirm visual compression.

Does vision return after the treatment of a pituitary gland tumor?

Yes, vision can improve after the pressure on the visual pathways is relieved, but the degree of recovery is not guaranteed.

Can a small pituitary tumor affect eyesight?

There are fewer chances that, due to a small pituitary tumor, compression-related visual symptoms can occur because they usually remain within the pituitary region.

References & Data sources

Mayo Clinic

National Neuroscience Institute

Cleveland Clinic