Aster Hospitals offers the latest technologies and expertise to provide you with the best outcomes on Pituitary Tumours
Most advanced neuro techniques:
Intraoperative MRI, Intraoperative neuromonitoring and neuronavigational surgical techniques, with highly specialised microscopes, to remove tumours.
Multidisciplinary approach:
End-to-end capabilities across various teams of specialists for comprehensive diagnosis, evaluation and treatment.
Personalised treatment:
Treatment customised to suit the patient's age, current condition, medical history and type of tumour.
Overview of Pituitary Tumour
Pituitary gland is the hormone secreting gland in the central nervous system. Pituitary tumours are abnormal cell growth arising from the pituitary gland. These are rare tumours. They can be divided into those that secrete excessive hormones and those which do not secrete hormones. The tumour when grows large in size can cause compression of the optic nerve causing visual disturbances. It can also compress a region called cavernous sinus due to which there can be double vision. Many a time the tumour is benign. They can be treated with surgical excision, hormonal therapy and radiation therapy.
Causes and symptoms pituitary tumours
While there is no specific reason behind the cause of these tumours, but a condition called multiple endocrine neoplasia type I (MEN 1) may increase the risk of pituitary tumours. This condition is genetic and is passed down through families.
The symptoms of pituitary tumour depend on the type of tumour and the affected area of the pituitary gland. Therefore, the symptoms for each person’s symptoms may vary and may also represent other health problems.
Diagnosis for pituitary tumours
To diagnose this condition, healthcare providers may ask you about your medical history and do a physical exam and may also need one of these tests:
Blood and urine tests, CT scan, MRI, Biopsy
Treatment of pituitary tumour
The treatment of the condition is based on the following parameters – Age, Overall health and medical history & Duration of the condition. Based on these parameters your doctor may recommend the following treatment -
- Surgery - To remove the tumour. Often smaller tumours are easily removed through surgery.
- External radiation (external beam therapy) – Under this, high levels of radiation been targeted to the cancer cells and special shields may be used to protect the normal tissue around the treatment area. These treatments are painless and usually last a few minutes.
- Radiosurgery (stereotactic radiosurgery) or gamma knife treatment - Uses 1 high dose of radiation targets the cancerous tissue. This dose causes less damage to nearby tissues and is not actually surgery.
- Medicine - Different types of medicine may be used, to control hormone secretion.
When should you see a doctor?
Sudden onset headache which may be a warning sign of bleeding into the pituitary tumour. Visual symptoms like loss of peripheral vision, blurring of vision, double vision. Hormonal symptoms like menstrual disturbances, galactorrhoea, abnormal weight gain or weight loss, facial features like hirsutism, wide nose, thick lips, thickened hands and legs, gigantism, hoarseness of voice.
We have some of the best specialty doctors from around the world, they bring years of experience and offer evidence based treatment to ensure the best care for you.
The annual global age-standardised incidence of primary malignant brain tumours is 3.7/1,00,000 population in males and 2.6/1,00,000 population in females
Brain tumour is a collection of abnormal cells in the brain. It can be benign or malignant. Benign tumours are slow growing and produce symptoms only when there is any pressure on the brain. Malignant tumours are fast growing and many times aggressive.
There are various classification of brain tumours
- Primary or secondary brain tumours
- Intrinsic or extrinsic brain tumours
- Tumours based on location as Supratentorial and infratentorial
- Signs and symptoms depend on the location of the lesion
- Supratentorial tumours present with headache, vomiting, seizures, Loss of consciousness, weakness of limbs, memory and speech disturbances
- Infratentorial tumours present with imbalance while walking, difficulty in reaching objects, hand tremors, loss of bowel and bladder control, eye problems, vertigo
C.T Scan of the brain with contrast will give a rough idea about the tumour. MRI brain plain and contrast will tell the surgeons if the tumour is encasing any major blood vessels or cranial nerves. MRI will also give an idea of the blood supply to the tumour. Functional MRI can tell if the tumour is involving any eloquent areas in the brain thus involving speech or movements. DTI imaging will help study if there are any major tracts involved by the tumour.
C.T Scan Brain with paranasal sinuses, ophthalmological examination, MRI brain plain and contrast helps in diagnosing the tumour
Incidence of pituitary tumours being 4-7 cases/1,00,000 per year
Pituitary tumour is a tumour arising from the pituitary gland
They can be benign or malignant. Most pituitary tumours are benign and are known as pituitary adenomas
Symptoms include Headache, vomiting, visual disturbances, hormonal disturbances in the form of Galactorrhoea, menstrual disturbances, acromegaly, cushing’s syndrome.
Brain tumours can be prevented by avoiding environmental factors like exposure to insecticides and pesticides, smoking, unnecessary exposure to radiation, exposure to carcinogenic chemicals.