Pituitary tumours (non-functioning)

Question 1

Define pituitary tumours (non-functioning)

Answer 1

Benign tumours of the pituitary gland formed from pituitary cells that do NOT produce any active pituitary hormones

Question 2

Aetiology of pituitary tumours (non-functioning)

2

Answer 2

• no specific cause

- can occur as part of MEN 1 syndrome

Question 3

Epidemiology of pituitary tumours (non-functioning)

2

Answer 3

most common type of macro adenoma (>1cm)

most common type of pituitary tumour in patients >60yrs

Question 4

Symptoms & signs of pituitary tumours (non-functioning)

3

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 depend on which hormone is affected

Question 5

Investigations for pituitary tumours (non-functioning)

4

Answer 5

• MRI
• CT
• bloods (check hormone levels)
• visual fields testing