Medical Encyclopedia

Pituitary Cancer

Cancers of the master pituitary gland affecting hormone balance. This guide explains types, hormone effects, diagnosis, surgery, radiation, and hormone management.

Medical research
Not medical advice. Symptoms of excess hormones warrant evaluation. Early diagnosis and treatment improve outcomes.
At a Glance

Quick Overview

Uncommon Cancer

Most pituitary tumors are benign adenomas. True carcinomas are very rare (less than 5% of pituitary tumors). [NCI, 2024]

Functional Tumors

About 40% of pituitary tumors produce excess hormone (prolactin, growth hormone, ACTH, TSH). 60% are non-functional. [ACS, 2024]

Peak in Middle Age

Most commonly diagnosed in 30-50 years, but can occur at any age. [NCI, 2024]

Specialized Surgery Available

Transsphenoidal surgery is minimally invasive approach with excellent outcomes for pituitary tumors. [NCCN, 2024]

Understanding the Basics

What Is Pituitary Cancer?

Pituitary tumors arise from the pituitary gland, a pea-sized endocrine gland at the base of the brain that produces hormones controlling growth, metabolism, stress response, and reproduction. Most pituitary tumors are benign adenomas, but rare carcinomas can develop. Functional tumors produce excess hormone and cause symptoms. Non-functional tumors grow silently until they cause symptoms from mass effect (headaches, vision problems from compression of optic nerve). [ACS, 2024]

Classification

Types of Pituitary Tumors

Prolactinomas (~40%)

Produce excess prolactin. Cause irregular periods, infertility, breast discharge, erectile dysfunction. Usually respond well to dopamine agonist medication. [NCI, 2024]

Growth Hormone-Secreting (~20%)

Cause acromegaly (abnormal growth of hands, feet, face) or gigantism. Increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, arthritis. [ACS, 2024]

ACTH-Secreting (Cushing's) (~15%)

Cause Cushing syndrome: central obesity, purple stretch marks, high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis. [NCI, 2024]

Non-Functional Tumors (~40%)

Don't produce excess hormone. Often diagnosed when large, causing headaches or vision loss. Require imaging. [ACS, 2024]

Finding the Answer

Diagnosis & Imaging

Hormone Blood Tests

Testing for prolactin, growth hormone, ACTH, TSH helps identify functional tumors. [ACS, 2024]

MRI Brain

Gold standard imaging for pituitary tumors. Shows size, location, involvement of adjacent structures. [NCI, 2024]

Visual Field Testing

If tumor is large, testing assesses if optic nerve compression affects vision. [NCCN, 2024]

Pathology & Grading

Tissue obtained during surgery is examined. Carcinomas show aggressive features (high proliferation, mitotic activity, necrosis). Most pituitary tumors are adenomas (Grade 1-2). [ACS, 2024]

Your Options

Treatment

Medical Management

Dopamine agonists (bromocriptine, cabergoline) for prolactinomas. Somatostatin analogs for growth hormone-secreting tumors. Often effective without surgery. [NCCN, 2024]

Transsphenoidal Surgery

Minimally invasive approach through the nose and sphenoid sinus to remove tumor. Lower morbidity than traditional open surgery. Cure rates high for microadenomas. [ACS, 2024]

Radiation Therapy

Used when surgery doesn't control tumor or for carcinomas. Stereotactic radiosurgery (Gamma Knife, CyberKnife) is precise. [NCI, 2024]

Hormone Replacement

After surgery/radiation, may need thyroid hormone, cortisol, growth hormone, or testosterone replacement if pituitary function is damaged. [NCCN, 2024]

Evidence Base

Sources & References

  1. American Cancer Society (ACS). "Pituitary Tumors." Cancer.org. Accessed 2024.
  2. National Cancer Institute (NCI). "Pituitary Tumors." Cancer.gov. Accessed 2024.
  3. National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). "NCCN Guidelines: Pituitary Tumors." Version 1.2024.

Last reviewed: February 2025. Not medical advice. Always consult your care team.