Pituitary adenomas, arising from the pituitary gland located
beneath the brain, account for about 10% of all brain tumors.
Pituitary tumors may be either non-secreting or secreting. The
pituitary gland produces hormones that regulate the thyroid gland,
body and bone growth, adrenal gland, and male and female sexual
organs. Non-secreting pituitary tumors tend to reduce the production
of normal hormones that may result in tiredness and/or lack of
sex drive. Secreting tumors produce high levels of one or more
of the pituitary hormones that can result in a variety of symptoms
including the cessation of menstruation in women and impotence
in men; abnormal body growth; and an increase in cortisone circulating
in the blood. Almost all pituitary tumors are benign, but those
that secrete excess amounts of hormone may cause serious symptoms,
such as high blood pressure and blood vessel changes leading to
early death.
Back to Top
