Pituitary Tumours

Question 1

what are non-functional pituitary tumours (adenomas)

Answer 1

benign tumours of the pituitary gland formed from pituitary cells that do not produce any active pituitary hormones

Question 2

what causes pituitary tumours

Answer 2

can occur as part of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 syndrome

Question 3

what are the types of pituitary tumours (these are functional)

Answer 3

adenoma, prolactinoma, acromegaly and cushings disease

Question 4

what is prolactinoma, acromegaly and cushings due to

Answer 4

prolactinoma- anterior pituitary tumour producing too much prolactin (lactotrophs)

acromegaly- pituitary tumour producing too much GH (somatotrophs)

cushings- pituitary tumour producing too much ACTH (corticotrophs)

Question 5

how do non-functional pituitary tumours (pituiatary adenomas) present

Answer 5

very slowly as there are no hormonal derangements

headaches

if it presses on optic chiasm- bitemporal hemianopia

panhypopituitarism

Question 6

how to diagnose and treat pituitary adenomas

Answer 6

MRI, CT, hormone tests and screening tests

surgery- transsphenoidal
or radiotherapy