Pituitary tumors

Overview

The bean-sized pituitary gland, located at the base of your brain, controls growth-regulating hormones, your metabolism, your stress response and functions of your sex organs. Pituitary tumors — abnormal growths that develop in the pituitary gland — are fairly common, are almost always noncancerous (benign), and typically stay confined to the pituitary gland or nearby tissues. Pituitary tumors that produce hormones are called functioning tumors; those that do not produce hormones are called nonfunctioning tumors.

Some pituitary tumors are small (microadenomas) and difficult to detect. However, a large pituitary tumor (macroadenoma) can put pressure on the pituitary gland and nearby parts of the brain, such as the nerves leading to the eyes (optic nerves). A pituitary tumor can cause many symptoms, depending on its size, location, and whether it results in overproduction or underproduction of hormones.

Why choose Mayo Clinic for pituitary tumors

• Multispecialty team care. Mayo Clinic endocrinologists with expertise in pituitary disease coordinate a team to comprehensively evaluate your tumor and symptoms. Your team may include specialists from neurosurgery, neuro-ophthalmology, neuroradiology, head and neck surgery, radiation oncology, and other areas if needed.
• Experience and expertise. Mayo Clinic is one of the largest pituitary centers in the U.S. Mayo Clinic surgeons are internationally recognized for their expertise in using stereotactic radiosurgery or fractionated radiation therapy to treat these tumors. Mayo Clinic endocrinologists are leaders in the medical management of hormone-producing pituitary tumors and in pituitary hormone replacement therapy.
• Endocrine Testing Center. A state-of-the-art facility, the Mayo Clinic Endocrine Testing Center accurately and safely performs complex hormonal stimulation and suppression tests to define the nature of the pituitary tumor and how well the pituitary gland functions.
• Latest diagnostic techniques. In Cushing's syndrome, small pituitary tumors that lead to an excess release of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) are often too small for detection by traditional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Mayo's large 3T (Tesla) MRI provides better viewing of these tumors. Mayo's neuroradiologists may conduct inferior petrosal sinus sampling to help find and identify the tumor. The petrosal sinuses are two small blood vessels on each side of your pituitary gland where hormones, including ACTH, are first released.


Transsphenoidal endoscopic surgery

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• Latest treatment procedures. Mayo Clinic surgeons pioneered an endoscopic through-the-nose (transsphenoidal) surgical tumor removal technique that is highly successful, reduces discomfort, and usually requires only an overnight stay in the hospital.

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