The brain is the main human organ. In its lower part, directly in the bone pocket, is the pituitary gland. The latter is an endocrine gland. Refers to the endocrine system. The pituitary gland is responsible for producing hormones that perform important functions. Some of them are responsible for growth, others for reproductive ability, and others regulate metabolism. This is exactly what happens in a he althy person. But these processes can fail. Such disorders lead to the uncontrolled growth of cells that are converted into tumors. In most cases, these formations are benign and, with proper treatment, do not pose a threat to life. However, rarely, but still there are malignant tumors. People call them pituitary cancer. They can lead to some pretty serious consequences. Therefore, in no case should you delay a visit to the doctor. In time to pay attention to changes in the body will help to familiarize yourself with the symptoms of a pituitary tumor. In this article, they will be described in detail. Also, the reader will be able to get acquainted with alternativeways to treat this pathology.
Neurological aspect
As mentioned above, a tumor in the brain is formed due to abnormal reproduction of pituitary cells. The neoplasm is localized on the back or front surface and directly affects the production of hormones. Their balance in the body is disturbed. This results in various neurological problems.
According to statistics, a pituitary tumor is diagnosed in men and women with the same frequency. It cannot be argued that one of them is more susceptible to such a disease. However, most patients are treated with pathologies at the age of 30-40, so they can be included in the risk group.
The meninges can provoke the development of a tumor. They grow into the pituitary gland, exerting a negative influence on it. In some cases, it is not possible to diagnose pathology in the early stages, since it can develop asymptomatically. The person does not feel any change. With such a clinical picture, the formation is detected by chance during a comprehensive examination, since there are no obvious signs of a pituitary tumor.
This pathology, according to statistics, is 15% of the total number of intracranial formations. Some types of cancer respond well to treatment. However, it is important to understand that a positive result is possible only with timely diagnosis.
Classification
In medicine, a brain pituitary tumor is divided into two types:
- malignant;
- benign.
As mentioned above, the latter are much more common. They are called adenomas. Malignant tumors are rarely diagnosed. Altered cells of a benign formation are able to perform the functions of he althy ones, albeit partially. Tumors of this type increase in size slowly, so they do not cause a sharp deterioration in he alth. If found, they are removed. Relapses are extremely rare.
Malignant tumors not only grow, squeezing tissues, but also have the ability to penetrate them, which is a serious danger. Treatment options for these growths will vary depending on the type.
Reasons
To date, medicine does not yet know the exact causes that provoke the development of a pituitary tumor. Most scientists assume that heredity plays an important role. If someone in the family has already had this disease, then it is necessary to undergo regular examinations in order to respond in time.
In addition to the hereditary factor, doctors identify a number of other reasons that can lead to the beginning of the growth of education. These include:
- brain injury;
- violation of the functionality of the peripheral glands of the endocrine system;
- infectious diseases of the nervous system;
- genetic cell disorder;
- long-term use of hormonal drugs;
- an abundance of hypothalamic hormones;
- adverse factors affecting the child in the womb.
Adenoma
This tumorthe pituitary gland, the symptoms of which will be discussed below, is benign. Occurs quite often. Size varies:
- diameter of 40 mm or more - giant adenomas;
- more than 10 mm - macroadenomas;
- less than 10 mm - microadenomas;
- not exceeding 3 mm - picoadenomas.
Educational data are classified not only by size, but also by functional activity. According to this criterion, they distinguish:
- hormonally inactive - damaged cells do not participate in the synthesis of hormones;
- hormonally active - education produces hormones.
Types of hormonally active adenomas
Those formations that produce hormones are divided into types depending on the active substance. Let's take a closer look at them.
- Prolactinomas are tumors that produce an excess of the hormone prolactin. He is responsible for the secretion of the mammary glands and the work of the ovaries. Symptoms in men with this type of pituitary tumor are galactorrhea and gynecomastia. The first pathology manifests itself in the form of secretions that are similar to breast milk. And gynecomastia is the growth of the mammary glands in men. Women show similar symptoms. The chest becomes painful, increases in size. Milk production begins. There are the same sensations as during pregnancy. In addition to these signs, in women, the menstrual cycle goes astray. Amenorrhea may even develop, leading to infertility.
- Corticotropinomas - formations that produce excessive productioncorticosteroid hormones. In large quantities, they can cause Cushing's disease. Influence the work of the adrenal glands. Patients with such a tumor show the following symptoms: emotional disorders, changes in the shape of the face, bruises, age spots and stretch marks appear on the skin, excessive hair growth.
- Somatotropinomas. This type of formation synthesizes growth hormone - somatotropin. Symptoms in men with a pituitary tumor of this type are an increase in the size of the feet, thickening of the bones. These signs can appear in women and children. In a child, pathology leads to gigantism, which is manifested by excessive growth.
- Thyrotropinomas. Education stimulates the production of thyroid-stimulating hormone. It is essential for the proper functioning of the thyroid gland. In large quantities, it provokes the development of hypothyroidism and thyrotoxicosis. As for the latter pathology, the following symptoms are observed with it: weight loss, loss of appetite, sleep disturbance, dry skin, nervous disorders. The symptoms of hypothyroidism are somewhat different. This pathology is manifested by excessive moisture of the skin, freezing of the extremities, decreased mental abilities, and slowness.
- Gonadotropinomas - excessive production of gonadotropic hormone, which is responsible for sexual functions. Symptoms in women with a pituitary tumor of this type: violation of the cycle or complete cessation of menstruation, uterine bleeding. Men are more likely to develop impotence, gynecomastia.
Malignant tumors
Unlike benign formations, malignant ones pose a serious threat to humans. Deformed cells completely lose the properties inherent in he althy ones. Naturally, they are not able to even partially perform their functions. Because of this transformation, the cells begin to grow uncontrollably. Education penetrates into the lymphatic and blood vessels, as well as into tissues located nearby. Develops quite rapidly, prone to metastasis.
In most cases, even after successful treatment, there are relapses. However, it should be noted that malignant tumors are quite difficult to treat. A favorable prognosis of surgical treatment is possible only in the early stages, until the formation begins to grow into neighboring tissues. If this has already happened and there is a lesion with metastases, the tumor is inoperable.
Pituitary tumor: symptoms in women and men
Different symptoms indicate the presence of a tumor. Most of them are quite unpleasant and do not allow a person to fully live. Above, a little has already been said about the signs that manifest adenomas of various types. However, it is necessary to highlight the most common of them. The insidiousness of this disease lies in the fact that sometimes the pathology is asymptomatic - in about 20% of cases. With such a course of the disease, it is rather problematic to diagnose it. In other situations, the symptoms are pronounced. So, what indicates the presence of a tumor:
- severe hair loss;
- decreasevision;
- girls have irregular menstrual cycles;
- significant increase in feet and hands;
- men show female sexual characteristics;
- chronic runny nose;
- rapid weight gain/loss;
- drowsiness, weakness, reduced activity, headache, double vision;
- nervous disorders, tics, convulsions, dementia, fainting;
- overeating;
- puffiness, facial changes (teeth move apart, nose enlarges, bite changes).
These symptoms are not specific. Some of them appear in other diseases. However, they should not be ignored, since a pituitary tumor can grow rapidly, and this, accordingly, will lead to serious consequences.
General diagnostics
In some cases, the symptoms of this disease, as they say, are obvious. For example, a doctor can make a diagnosis only on examination without additional examination if certain parts of the body are significantly enlarged (acromegaly). Itsenko-Cushing's disease also indicates the presence of a neoplasm. People suffering from it are distinguished by characteristic changes in appearance. Also, the diagnosis of a pituitary tumor is carried out according to external signs in children suffering from gigantism.
If the doctor suspected the presence of education, the patient is scheduled for an examination. It includes:
- computed tomography, radiography (effective in case of a large tumor), MRI and angiography;
- hormone screening - blood and urine tests;
- ophthalmic examination;
- cerebrospinal fluid biopsy.
The most effective diagnosis is tomography. Such a study allows you to accurately determine the location of the tumor and its size.
Pituitary tumor treatment
Given that this formation is of different types, the treatment is selected depending on them. Also, when choosing a therapy, the doctor pays attention to the stage of the disease, as well as the size of the tumor. Based on the combination of these factors, surgical, medical or radiation treatment is prescribed. In some cases, complex therapy is used.
It is important to remember that with a tumor, in no case should you rely on your own strength. Diagnosis and treatment should be carried out only by a qualified doctor. The final decision is made at the council, where neurosurgeons, endocrinologists and neurologists are always present.
Prescribing medications
Drug treatment is used only if the pituitary tumor is benign. Before choosing drugs, the rate of its growth and participation in the synthesis of hormones is determined. If, according to the last criterion, the pathology is inactive, dopamine agonists, such as Cabergoline or Bromocriptine, are prescribed. These drugs are able to regulate the production of hormones, reduce the tumor in size. There are also such cases that the formation completely disappeared without surgical intervention.
Medications are selected depending on the type of hormone, which in the body inexcess. For example, Sandostatin and Pegvisomant block the action of somatotropin, while Cyproheptadine reduces the amount of corticosteroids.
Radiation therapy
If surgical treatment is contraindicated for some reason, patients are prescribed radiation therapy. This method consists in irradiating the tumor. The doctor selects the dose based on the size of the formation and its type. The positive effect does not come quickly. Sometimes the treatment lasts for several years. Its advantage is that the tumor is irradiated from all sides, due to which it decreases in size. During the procedures, the patient's condition is monitored by the attending physician. Computed tomography is done regularly to see how the neoplasm responds to therapy.
It is important to know that radiation has a number of side effects. It also cannot be used if the tumor is located very close to the optic nerves.
Surgery
Surgical removal of a pituitary tumor is the most effective treatment. Before planning the operation, the doctor determines the location and size of the neoplasm. As a rule, it is removed through the sphenoid cranial bone or frontally, using a special optical device.
Currently, most surgeons prefer to use endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery to remove the tumor. It is carried out through the nasal passage. This type of intervention is as safe as possible, as it does not require incisions. And this reduces the risk of developing various complications. Operation through the nasal entrance is carried out withendoscopic probe and special instruments.
Often, after surgery, patients are prescribed medication and radiation treatment.
Forecast
With a pituitary tumor, the prognosis depends on several factors. The timing of diagnosis, hormonal activity and the size of the formation are of great importance. Somatotropinoma and prolactinoma are difficult to treat. Only 25% of patients were completely cured. The chances of a complete recovery in patients with other types of adenomas are high - 80%. It is possible to achieve restoration of the functionality of the optic nerves only if the disease was diagnosed at the initial stage of development. In the later stages, pathological processes are already irreversible.
