Pituitary Tumours (non-functioning)

Question 1

Define

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Causes

Answer 2

No specific cause

Can occur as a part of MEN 1 syndrome

Question 3

Epidemiology

Answer 3

Most common type of macroadenoma (> 1 cm)

Most common type of pituitary tumour in patients > 60 yrs

Question 4

Symptoms

Answer 4

Symptoms develop very SLOWLY because there are no hormonal derangements

Headaches

Pressure on surrounding structures:

• Optic chiasm -bitemporal hemianopia
• Normal pituitary gland - panhypopituitarism
  
  • Symptoms develop depending on which hormone is affected

Question 5

Investigation

Answer 5

MRI

CT

Bloods - check hormone levels

Visual fields testing