Symptoms

Not all pituitary tumors cause symptoms. Pituitary tumors that make hormones (functioning) can cause a variety of signs and symptoms depending on the hormone they affect. 

The signs and symptoms of pituitary tumors that don’t make hormones (nonfunctioning) are related to the growth and the pressure they put on surrounding structures. Symptoms related to nonfunctioning pituitary tumors include:

• Headache
• Vision loss (especially peripheral vision)
• Dizziness

Risk Factors/Causes

Pituitary tumors have very few known risk factors and those that exist are genetic. There are no known environmental or lifestyle-related risk factors for pituitary tumors. Though, studies have suggested people who are overweight or obese might be at increased risk. Most people who develop pituitary tumors don’t have a family history of the condition. In rare cases, pituitary tumors can run in families.

Truthfully, we don’t know exactly what causes most pituitary tumors. In recent years, scientists have made great progress in understanding how certain changes in a person’s DNA can cause cells in the pituitary to produce a tumor. Additionally, some people inherit gene mutations (changes) from their parents that significantly increase their risk for developing pituitary tumors.

Treatment Options

Many pituitary tumors don’t require formal treatment. Treatment for those that do depends on the type of tumor, and the size of the tumor. Your age and overall health also are factors.

Treatment can include surgery, radiation therapy and medications, either alone or in combination. 

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