Pituitary Tumors

Pituitary Tumors

Signs and Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment

Signs and Symptoms

If a pituitary tumor exists, the pituitary gland may make an excessive amount of hormones. Tumors that make hormones are called functioning tumors and those that don't make hormones are called nonfunctioning tumors.

Tumors that secrete hormones tend to be smaller than the pituitary gland when they're diagnosed. In fact, most pituitary tumors are microadenomas that measure 3 to 9 millimeters in diameter. Less common tumors are macroadenomas that are 10 millimeters or larger in diameter.

Tumors that don't secrete hormones, called endocrine-inactive adenomas, tend to be larger and may compress other tissue such as the optic nerves, causing vision loss.

Patients with pituitary tumors may experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• Headache
• Loss of peripheral vision or decreased acuity in one or both eyes
• Double vision
• Nausea with or without vomiting
• Weight loss or gain
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue or decreased energy
• Joint pain
• Increase in shoe or ring size
• Development of high blood pressure or diabetes mellitus
• Decreased mental function
• Dizziness

One type of pituitary tumor can cause a woman's breasts to produce milk even though she isn't pregnant and can stop her periods. Women may experience irregular or lack of periods and infertility, while men may have erectile dysfunction, loss of body or facial hair, loss of sexual drive and infertility.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated June 4, 2007