There is a bean-sized gland located inside a bony structure at the base of the brain. The name given to this gland is the pituitary gland. Prolactin, the hormone that enables milk formation in mothers, growth hormone and adrenocorticotropic hormones are hormones secreted from the pituitary gland. Thanks to the secretion of these hormones, many important functions such as sexual development, bone development, muscle building, coping with stress and so on develop in a healthy way in humans.
Any tumor that occurs in the pituitary gland will negatively affect the functioning of the hormones secreted from this gland and these will occur. will have negative effects on the body. Tumors occurring on the pituitary gland can be seen in individuals of all ages. However, the most common age groups are between the ages of 30 and 60. It has been observed that pituitary tumors caused by hormone effects occur in young people. Tumors that do not have hormonal effects occur in adults at older ages.
Tumors that occur in the pituitary gland are known to be tumors that progress insidiously. Sometimes they do not show any symptoms until they reach an advanced stage. In addition, since they are very diverse, the symptoms seen also vary. If the size of the tumors is smaller than 10 mm, they are called microadenoma in medicine. Tumors that are 10 mm or larger are called macrodenoma.
Pituitary Tumor Types
The most common pituitary tumors are those that secrete prolactin. It is mostly seen in women of reproductive age. When compared to the incidence of all pituitary tumors, this type of tumor constitutes 35 percent of the general population. When prolactin is secreted excessively, different symptoms are observed in women. There may be sudden interruptions in regular monthly menstrual bleeding, and milk formation in the breasts may be observed even if you are not pregnant. In men, this tumor is seen between the ages of 40-50. It has effects such as headache, vision loss, impotence, and sexual reluctance.
The most common tumor type after prolactin is tumors that secrete growth hormone, with a rate of 20 percent. This type of tumor is more common in men. Tumors that secrete growth hormone are usually larger than 10 mm. In other words, they are called macroadenoma. Ge Excessive secretion of this hormone in children during the growth period causes gigantism. When this tumor occurs in adults who have completed their development, growths occur in the hands, feet and chin. Excessive secretion of growth hormone in people with high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes may increase the severity of their diseases.
Tumors that cause the secretion of the ACTH hormone constitute 14 percent of all brain tumors. This tumor is more common in women. When ACTH hormone is secreted excessively, the adrenal glands are overstimulated and the amount of steroids in the body increases. This increased steroids causes Cushing's disease. Cushing's disease causes conditions such as weight gain, diabetes, menstrual irregularity, excessive body hair growth, and easy bruising of the skin.
Pituitary Tumor Treatment
Pituitary Tumor Treatment
Pituitary Tumor Treatment
Tumors occurring in the glands have different treatment methods. When determining treatment methods, it is decided by looking at whether it is hormone-related or not, if it is hormone-related, which hormone it activates, its size and location, and the general health condition of the patient. The aim of treatments is to completely destroy the tumor. However, when this situation is difficult, treatments are applied to shrink the tumor and prevent it from growing.
Pituitary tumor surgery can be performed and all or part of the tumor can be surgically removed. Radiation therapy is generally applied as a second treatment after surgical procedures. Radiation may be preferred in the treatment of regrown tumors.
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