brain, spinal cord, and nerve disorders
Some Specific Brain Tumors
Pituitary Gland Tumors
The pituitary gland, located at the base of the brain, controls much of the body’s Endocrine Glands . Most tumors of the pituitary gland are pituitary adenomas, which are usually noncancerous. Pituitary adenomas tumors may secrete abnormally large amounts of pituitary hormones or block production of hormones. When large amounts of hormones are secreted, effects vary depending on which hormone is involved. For growth hormone, extreme height ( Gigantism and Acromegaly ) or disproportionate enlargement of the head, face, hands, feet, and chest ( , Cushing Syndrome , causing fat and fluid to accumulate in the face and shoulders (buffalo hump), purple stretch marks on the abdomen, high blood pressure, weak bones, easy bruising, and poor wound healing For prolactin, the Absence of Menstrual Periods (amenorrhea) in women, production of breast milk in women who are not breastfeeding ( deficiency (formerly called ArginineVasopressin Deficiency (Central Diabetes Insipidus) ), which causes excessive thirst and excessive urination Pituitary gland tumors can block hormone production by destroying the tissues in the pituitary gland that secrete hormones, eventually resulting in insufficient levels of these hormones in the body. Headaches commonly occur. Vision is affected if the tumor puts pressure on the optic nerve. Rarely, bleeding into the tumor occurs, causing a sudden headache and loss of vision. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Blood tests Doctors suspect pituitary tumors in people with unexplained headaches, characteristic visual problems, or problems due to abnormalities in hormone production. Diagnosis is usually based on MRI and blood tests to measure levels of hormones produced by pituitary tumors. Surgery or drugs Treatment of pituitary tumors depends on which hormone is being overproduced. For example, pituitary tumors that produce growth hormone are surgically removed. Sometimes, particularly if the tumor cannot be surgically removed or a lot of tissue is affected, radiation therapy is required. Adenomas that overproduce prolactin are treated with drugs that act likedopamine, the hormone in the brain that blocks prolactin production. These drugs (such asbromocriptine, pergolide, andcabergoline) lower blood levels of prolactin and often shrink the tumor. Surgery and radiation therapy are usually not needed. 