Understanding Pituitary Tumors and their Symptoms — Tibss

A pituitary tumor is the unusual growth of a group of cells present in your pituitary gland. However, certain pituitary tumors lead to numerous hormones that travel throughout your body and regulate the important functions of your body. Whereas some tumors result in low-level production of these hormones.

However, most of these tumors are noncancerous and are also known as adenomas. But they can result in serious issues, either due to their size (large) or hormonal imbalance by the tumoral products.

As a matter of fact, not all pituitary tumors exhibit symptoms, but when they do, they showcase several types of signs and symptoms. Therefore, to make you aware of such symptoms we at The Institute of Brain and Spine Surgery, the best brain surgery hospital in Chandigarh, has laid down this post.

Symptoms of Pituitary Tumors

The first signs and symptoms of pituitary tumors depend upon the fact that whether the tumor is Non-Functional (not making excess hormones) or Functional (producing an excess of hormones).

Besides, the symptoms are also based on the size of the tumor. Large pituitary that is about 1 cm in size is known as macroadenomas, whereas the smaller ones are called microadenomas. Now that we are clear of the factors responsible for the symptoms, let’s run down to know more about them.

Symptoms related to the changes in the hormonal levels

Overfunctioning

The functional pituitary tumors result in the excessive production of hormones.

Deficiency

Pituitary Tumors may also result in hormonal deficiencies, that shows the following symptoms:

• Weakness in the body
• Nausea and vomiting
• Personality Disorder
• Less often or no menstrual cycles
• Feeling chilly
• Increased urine
• Weight gain or weight loss
• Sexual malfunctioning

Adrenocorticotropic hormone-secreting (ACTH) Tumors (Cushing’s Syndrome)

Production of adrenocorticotropic hormone in these types of tumors stirs your adrenal glands to make hormone cortisol. Its symptoms are mentioned below:

• High blood pressure
• Weakening of bones
• Acne
• Easy bruising
• High level of blood sugar
• Stretch marks
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Fact accumulation around your face, neck, and torso
• Thinning of arms and legs

Growth Hormone-Secreting Tumors (Acromegaly)

These tumors lead to the voluminous growth of the acromegaly hormone. They have different effects on adults and children. The symptoms of this tumor in children include:

• Exponential growth in height
• Extremely rapid Growth
• Pain in the joints
• More Sweating
• Kidney stones
• Heart diseases
• Headaches
• Excess of sweating
• Body hair growth
• Uneven teeth
• Change in the facial features
• Coarsened Voice
• Increase in the size of hands and feet

Prolactin-secreting tumors

Excess production of prolactin by prolactinoma (a type of pituitary tumor) might lead to a reduced level of sex hormones — in women it is estrogen and in men it is testosterone. Overproduction of prolactin in the body impacts both men and women differently.

In women, prolactinoma shows symptoms such as:

• Irregular menstrual cycles
• Inadequate menstrual periods
• Discharge of milk from the breasts
• Impotency
• Reduced sperm count
• Loss of sexual instinct
• Growth of breast

Thyroid-stimulating hormone-secreting tumors

This the tumor occurs when the pituitary tumor produces an excess of thyroid-stimulating hormone, the thyroid gland present in your body overproduces the thyroxine hormone. This an expedite the metabolism of your body, resulting in:

• Loss of weight
• Fast or unusual heartbeat
• Anxiety or irritability
• Recurrent bowel movements
• Over sweating

Non-Functioning Pituitary tumors

This tumor reflects symptoms based on two categories — tumor mass and hyposecretion (lack of secretion of necessary hormones).

Symptoms based on Tumor Mass:

• Problematic Vision
• Headaches
• Abnormal control of the movement of the eyes

Symptoms based on Hyposecretion:

• Loss of weight
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Frailty
• Irregular menstrual cycle
• Muscle and joint aches
• Mood swings
• Dizziness
• Low Blood Pressure

Get the best diagnosis and treatment for Pituitary Tumor At TIBSS

As the best brain surgery hospital in Chandigarh, the team of best neurosurgeons in Chandigarh practicing here believe that the early detection of a tumor, or when it is small in size enables them to recommend multiple treatment options to the patients. Although some of the early tumors might not show the signs and symptoms that are noticeable, that is not the case always.

If you notice any of the above-mentioned signs and symptoms developing your body, then you must immediately consult the best neurosurgeon around you. At TIBSS, the best neurosurgery hospital in Chandigarh we have seen a number of successful cases where the patients were treated for pituitary tumors merely by monitoring and normalizing their hormone levels and also eliminate the signs and symptoms.

Moreover, if you belong to a family who has a history of multiple endocrine neoplasias, type 1 (MEN 1), then you should certainly consult the neurosurgeon for regular tests that may help in early detection of pituitary tumors at an early stage if any.

Surgical Treatment Options Available For Pituitary Tumors

• Transsphenoidal Surgery
• During this an incision is made either under the lips or at the base of the nose, to insert surgical instruments into the parts of the brain. Further, these instruments are passed through the sphenoid bone (located at the base of the skull) to reach the pituitary gland. This gland is located right above the sphenoid bone.
• Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Surgery
• In this kind of surgery in which an incision is made at the back of the inside nose to insert the endoscope through the sphenoid bone to target the pituitary gland.
• Transcranial Approach
• In this type of surgery, the incision is made in the scalp to reach the upper part of the skull. This surgery is appropriate for the cases where it is important to reach large or more-complicated tumors.

Consult the best Neurosurgeon in Chandigarh at the TIBSS

However, some of the pituitary tumors go undiagnosed due to the fact that their symptoms are similar to other conditions. But there are some that can be diagnosed through various medical tests done for other health issues.

The best neurosurgeon in Chandigarh at TIBSS is experienced enough to diagnose your tumors if any. Dr. V.K. Batish, the chairman and founder of the hospital is the best neurosurgeon and possesses extensive experience in this medical field. Yet another best doctor, Dr. Manish Budhiraja is also an experienced, young and an enthusiastic neurosurgeon who is quite adept in performing complex brain and spine surgeries.

In the case you observe any of the above-mentioned symptoms in your body, feel free to have an open discussion with our team of best neurologists in Chandigarh.