Pituitary adenoma

Disease description

A pituitary adenoma is a benign tumor that develops from pituitary cells (a gland located at the base of the brain that regulates the endocrine system). Pituitary adenomas can be hormonally active or inactive. Hormonally active adenomas may cause excessive hormone production, leading to various endocrine disorders such as acromegaly, Cushing’s disease, hyperprolactinemia, and others. Hormonally inactive adenomas typically manifest through pressure on adjacent tissues and related complications.

Symptoms requiring diagnosis and treatment:

• Headaches unresponsive to conventional treatment
• Visual disturbances (most commonly peripheral vision loss)
• Hormonal imbalances: weight changes, menstrual irregularities, decreased libido
• Persistent fatigue and weakness
• Mood changes and depression
• Excessive hair growth or acromegaly

Diagnostic and treatment methods

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of pituitary adenoma involves contrast-enhanced MRI to visualize the tumor and assess its size. Computed tomography (CT) is used when MRI cannot be performed. Blood and urine tests are ordered to evaluate hormone levels, including prolactin, cortisol, growth hormone, and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). Ophthalmological examination is performed to detect visual field defects caused by tumor pressure on the optic nerve.

Treatment

Treatment of pituitary adenoma depends on the tumor’s size, type, and its effects on hormonal balance and vision. Small, inactive tumors causing no symptoms may be monitored. For hormonally active tumors, medication is often prescribed to normalize hormone levels. Surgical removal via the nasal passage (transsphenoidal surgery) is the preferred method for large or active adenomas. Radiation therapy may be used when surgical removal is not possible or insufficiently effective.

Innovations in global clinics

Methods of personalized medicine are actively developing, including molecular diagnostics that enable selection of targeted and immunotherapeutic drugs based on the tumor’s genetic characteristics.

In recent years, new techniques have emerged, such as focused ultrasound for non-invasive tumor ablation and nanoparticle applications for direct drug delivery to tumor cells.