Guzy przysadki mózgowej – Etiologia i przyczyny

Guzy przysadki mózgowej
Etiologia i przyczyny

Guzy przysadki mózgowej stanowią około 10-15% wszystkich guzów wewnątrzczaszkowych, z mikrogruczolakami występującymi u 10-17% populacji, często bezobjawowo. Ich etiologia opiera się głównie na spontanicznych mutacjach genetycznych w komórkach przysadki, obejmujących m.in. geny AIP, GNAS, USP8, USP48 i BRAF, które zaburzają regulację wzrostu komórek i produkcję hormonów. Około 5% przypadków ma charakter dziedziczny, związany z zespołami genetycznymi takimi jak MEN1, MEN4, zespół McCune’a-Albrighta, zespół Carneya, FIPA oraz X-LAG. Guzy klasyfikuje się na mikro- (<10 mm) i makrogruczolaki (≥10 mm), a także na czynne hormonalnie (35%) i nieczynne (65%). Najczęstsze gruczolaki czynne to prolaktynoma (40-50%), somatotropinoma (20%), kortykotropinoma i tyreotropinoma. Guzy inwazyjne stanowią około 35%, a raki przysadki są rzadkie (0,1-0,2%).

Etiologia guzów przysadki mózgowej

Mutacje genetyczne jako przyczyna guzów przysadki
Dziedziczne guzy przysadki mózgowej
Inne czynniki związane z rozwojem guzów przysadki

Typy guzów przysadki mózgowej

Podział ze względu na wielkość
Podział ze względu na aktywność hormonalną
Podział guzów czynnych hormonalnie ze względu na typ wydzielanego hormonu
Podział ze względu na charakter histopatologiczny
Inne typy guzów regionu przysadki

Epidemiologia guzów przysadki mózgowej
Czynniki ryzyka guzów przysadki mózgowej
Istotne implikacje w odniesieniu do etiologii guzów przysadki mózgowej
Podsumowanie

Kolejne rozdziały

Etiologia guzów przysadki mózgowej

Guzy przysadki mózgowej są stosunkowo częstymi zmianami patologicznymi układu nerwowego, stanowiącymi około 10-15% wszystkich guzów wewnątrzczaszkowych¹. Mimo ich powszechności, dokładne przyczyny powstawania tych guzów nadal pozostają w dużej mierze niewyjaśnione. Badania sekcyjne wykazują, że małe guzy przysadki mózgowej występują u nawet 26% osób bez wcześniej rozpoznanej patologii przysadki². Co więcej, szacuje się, że mikro-guzy przysadki mogą występować u około 10-17% populacji ogólnej, choć większość z nich pozostaje bezobjawowa³⁴.

Mutacje genetyczne jako przyczyna guzów przysadki

Większość guzów przysadki mózgowej powstaje w wyniku spontanicznych (nabytych) mutacji genetycznych w komórkach przysadki⁵⁶. Te zmiany w materiale genetycznym (DNA) prowadzą do niekontrolowanego wzrostu i podziału komórek, co skutkuje tworzeniem się guza⁷. Badania molekularne wykazały, że zmiany genetyczne w komórkach przysadki zaburzają mechanizm regulacyjny, który normalnie kontroluje wzrost komórek i produkcję hormonów⁸.

Zidentyfikowano kilka genów, których mutacje mogą przyczyniać się do rozwoju guzów przysadki, w tym⁹:

AIP (aryl hydrocarbon receptor-interacting protein)
GNAS
USP8
USP48
BRAF

Dodatkowo, badania wskazują na zaangażowanie w proces powstawania guzów przysadki takich genów jak¹⁰:

Onkogeny i zaburzenia białek G
Mutacje genu RAS
Delecje, mutacje i rearanżacje genu p53
Hipermetylacja p16 (w gruczolakach nieczynnych hormonalnie)
Galektyna-3 (Gal-3) – gen zaangażowany w wzrost komórek i apoptozę, opisywany w prolaktynomach i gruczolakach kortykotropowych

Dziedziczne guzy przysadki mózgowej

Choć większość guzów przysadki powstaje spontanicznie, około 5% wszystkich przypadków ma charakter rodzinny, związany z dziedzicznymi zaburzeniami genetycznymi¹¹. Badania genetyczne pozwoliły zidentyfikować kilka zespołów dziedzicznych związanych ze zwiększonym ryzykiem rozwoju guzów przysadki¹²:

Zespół mnogiej gruczolakowatości wewnątrzwydzielniczej (MEN)

MEN typu 1 (MEN1) – spowodowany mutacją w genie MEN1, który jest genem supresorowym. Utrata funkcji tego genu prowadzi do powstawania guzów w przysadce mózgowej, trzustce i przytarczycach. MEN1 jest przekazywany około połowie potomstwa dotkniętego rodzica¹³¹⁴. Guzy przysadki występują u około 25% pacjentów z MEN1¹⁵.

MEN typu 4 (MEN4) – spowodowany mutacjami w genie CDKN1B, również dziedziczony od rodzica. Podobnie jak MEN1, predysponuje do rozwoju guzów przytarczyc i przysadki, ale także do guzów neuroendokrynnych jąder i szyjki macicy¹⁶¹⁷.

Inne zespoły genetyczne zwiększające ryzyko guzów przysadki

Zespół McCune’a-Albrighta – spowodowany mutacjami w genie GNAS, które nie są dziedziczone, ale powstają przed urodzeniem¹⁸.

Zespół Carneya (CNC) – związany z mutacją germinalną genu supresorowego PRKAR1A, prowadzącą do pierwotnej pigmentowanej guzkowej choroby nadnerczy (PPNAD), guzów jąder, guzków tarczycy, plamistej hiperpigmentacji skóry i akromegalii¹⁹.

Rodzinne izolowane gruczolaki przysadki (FIPA) – mutacja genu AIP (aryl hydrocarbon receptor-interacting protein) stwierdzana u około 15% wszystkich przypadków FIPA. Guzy te występują zwykle u młodzieży lub młodych dorosłych, są zazwyczaj agresywne i najczęściej wydzielają hormon wzrostu, powodując akromegalię²⁰.

X-LAG (X-linked acrogigantism) – rzadki zespół guzów/hiperplazji przysadki o bardzo wczesnym początku w dzieciństwie, prowadzący do nadmiaru hormonu wzrostu i ciężkiego przerostu oraz gigantyzmu przysadkowego. Spowodowany duplikacjami w chromosomie Xq26.3, obejmującymi gen GPR101²¹.

Inne czynniki związane z rozwojem guzów przysadki

Poza czynnikami genetycznymi, w literaturze medycznej opisywane są również inne stany mogące przyczyniać się do rozwoju patologii przysadki mózgowej:

Czynniki traumatyczne i naczyniowe

Dysfunkcja przysadki może być konsekwencją urazów czaszkowo-mózgowych. Jeśli dopływ krwi do przysadki mózgowej jest ograniczony, tkanka może obumrzeć, co określa się jako zawał przysadki. Może to prowadzić do niedoczynności przysadki (hipopituitaryzmu). Zawały mogą wystąpić w wyniku upośledzenia przepływu krwi do przysadki lub urazu głowy²².

Zespół Sheehana (znany również jako poporodowa niedoczynność przysadki) może wystąpić u kobiety, która doświadczyła ciężkiego krwotoku macicznego lub niskiego ciśnienia krwi podczas porodu²³.

Czynniki zapalne

Limfocytarne zapalenie przysadki (lymphocytic hypophysitis) to stan zapalny przysadki spowodowany przez komórki immunologiczne. Może być związany z ciążą, choć dokładne przyczyny tego stanu nie są w pełni zrozumiałe²⁴.

Rzadkimi przyczynami powiększenia przysadki mózgowej mogą być również:

Gruźlica
Sarkoidoza – zaburzenie zapalne, które może powodować stan zapalny w układzie nerwowym, w tym w przysadce mózgowej
Zapalenie przysadki (hypophysitis) – zapalenie przysadki mózgowej o podłożu autoimmunologicznym, infekcyjnym lub innym²⁵

Hiperplazja przysadki mózgowej

Powiększenie przysadki mózgowej może wystąpić również w wyniku hiperplazji (zwiększenia liczby komórek), a nie guza. Przyczyny hiperplazji przysadki obejmują:

Niedoczynność tarczycy – gdy tarczyca nie produkuje wystarczającej ilości hormonów, przysadka zaczyna nadmiernie produkować hormony, ponieważ nie otrzymuje odpowiedniego sprzężenia zwrotnego z tarczycy²⁶
Ciąża – naturalnie powiększa przysadkę mózgową poprzez hiperplazję, czasami nawet o 70%²⁷
Leki lub terapie hormonalne – w tym atypowe (drugiej generacji) leki przeciwpsychotyczne, antagoniści GnRH i estrogeny²⁸

Typy guzów przysadki mózgowej

Guzy przysadki można klasyfikować na różne sposoby, w tym ze względu na ich wielkość, aktywność hormonalną oraz charakter histopatologiczny:

Podział ze względu na wielkość

Mikrogruczolaki – guzy o średnicy poniżej 10 mm
Makrogruczolaki – guzy o średnicy 10 mm lub większej²⁹

Podział ze względu na aktywność hormonalną

Guzy przysadki dzieli się na czynne i nieczynne hormonalnie³⁰:

Gruczolaki czynne hormonalnie (wydzielnicze) – produkują nadmierne ilości hormonów przysadkowych. Stanowią ok. 35% guzów przysadki³¹.
Gruczolaki nieczynne hormonalnie (niewydzielnicze) – nie produkują nadmiernych ilości hormonów. Stanowią ok. 65% guzów przysadki³².

Podział guzów czynnych hormonalnie ze względu na typ wydzielanego hormonu

Najczęstsze typy guzów czynnych hormonalnie to:

Prolaktynoma – najczęstszy typ gruczolaka wydzielniczego (ok. 40-50% wszystkich guzów przysadki), produkujący nadmierne ilości prolaktyny³³³⁴³⁵
Gruczolaki wydzielające hormon wzrostu (somatotropinoma) – stanowią około 20% guzów przysadki, powodują akromegalię u dorosłych lub gigantyzm u dzieci³⁶
Gruczolaki wydzielające ACTH (kortykotropinoma) – powodują nadmierną produkcję hormonu adrenokortykotropowego, co prowadzi do zespołu Cushinga³⁷
Gruczolaki wydzielające TSH (tyreotropinoma) – najrzadszy typ, prowadzący do nadmiernej produkcji hormonu tyreotropowego, co stymuluje tarczycę do wytwarzania zbyt dużej ilości tyroksyny, powodując nadczynność tarczycy³⁸
Gruczolaki plurihormonalne – rzadkie guzy wydzielające więcej niż jeden typ hormonu³⁹

Podział ze względu na charakter histopatologiczny

Gruczolaki – stanowią 90% wszystkich guzów przysadki, są łagodne⁴⁰
Guzy inwazyjne – około 35% guzów przysadki wykazuje charakter inwazyjny, naciekając okoliczne struktury⁴¹
Raki przysadki (carcinoma) – stanowią zaledwie 0,1-0,2% wszystkich guzów przysadki, są złośliwe i mogą dawać przerzuty⁴²⁴³

Inne typy guzów regionu przysadki

Występują również inne typy guzów, które nie pochodzą bezpośrednio z przysadki, ale mogą być zlokalizowane w jej regionie:

Czaszkogardlak (craniopharyngioma) – wrodzony guz powstający w wyniku zaburzeń rozwojowych przysadki mózgowej, rozpoczynających się podczas rozwoju płodowego. Nie jest złośliwy, ale może zakłócać normalną funkcję przysadki⁴⁴
Torbiel kieszonki Rathkego (Rathke’s cleft cyst) – również pochodzenia rozwojowego⁴⁵

Epidemiologia guzów przysadki mózgowej

Guzy przysadki mózgowej są stosunkowo częstymi zmianami w populacji ogólnej. Według różnych źródeł:

W Stanach Zjednoczonych guzy przysadki są diagnozowane u 1-15 na 200 000 osób rocznie, najczęściej u kobiet w wieku 15-44 lat⁴⁶
Badania sekcyjne sugerują, że znacznie większy odsetek populacji – nawet do 11-17% – może mieć bardzo małe guzy przysadki, które nigdy nie powodują objawów⁴⁷⁴⁸
Około 10 000 guzów przysadki jest diagnozowanych rocznie w USA⁴⁹
Według niektórych szacunków, 10-15% osób może rozwinąć guz przysadki w ciągu życia⁵⁰

Czynniki ryzyka guzów przysadki mózgowej

W przeciwieństwie do wielu innych nowotworów, dla guzów przysadki nie zidentyfikowano czynników środowiskowych ani związanych ze stylem życia, które zwiększałyby ryzyko ich rozwoju⁵¹⁵². Jedynymi znanymi czynnikami ryzyka są głównie uwarunkowania genetyczne, opisane wcześniej zespoły dziedziczne oraz, rzadko, historia rodzinna⁵³.

Pojedyncze źródła sugerują, że przewlekły i ciężki stres, trauma z dzieciństwa i/lub uraz fizyczny mogą zwiększać ryzyko rozwoju guza przysadki, a Europejskie Towarzystwo Endokrynologiczne wskazuje, że sytuacje traumatyczne mogą zakłócać procesy epigenetyczne, które wyciszają geny supresorowe guza i sprzyjają rozwojowi gruczolaków przysadki⁵⁴. Jednak większość źródeł nie potwierdza związku między stresem a guzami przysadki⁵⁵.

Istotne implikacje w odniesieniu do etiologii guzów przysadki mózgowej

Zrozumienie przyczyn guzów przysadki ma kilka istotnych implikacji klinicznych:

Brak możliwości zapobiegania – ponieważ nie zidentyfikowano modyfikowalnych czynników ryzyka, obecnie nie ma znanych metod zapobiegania powstawaniu guzów przysadki⁵⁶⁵⁷
Znaczenie badań przesiewowych w rodzinach wysokiego ryzyka – osoby z określonymi zespołami genetycznymi lub rodzinną historią guzów przysadki mogą wymagać regularnych badań przesiewowych⁵⁸
Personalizacja leczenia – zrozumienie molekularnych mechanizmów powstawania guzów przysadki może prowadzić do opracowania terapii celowanych⁵⁹
Prognostyka – niektóre markery molekularne, jak obecność p53 czy PTTG-1, korelują z bardziej agresywnym zachowaniem guza i mogą mieć znaczenie prognostyczne⁶⁰

Podsumowanie

Mimo intensywnych badań, dokładna etiologia guzów przysadki mózgowej pozostaje w dużej mierze nieznana. Większość tych guzów powstaje w wyniku spontanicznych mutacji genetycznych, choć około 5% przypadków ma charakter dziedziczny. Zidentyfikowano kilka zespołów genetycznych związanych ze zwiększonym ryzykiem rozwoju guzów przysadki, w tym MEN1, MEN4, zespół Carneya, zespół McCune’a-Albrighta oraz rodzinne izolowane gruczolaki przysadki.

W przeciwieństwie do wielu innych nowotworów, nie ma znanych czynników środowiskowych ani związanych ze stylem życia, które mogłyby zwiększać ryzyko rozwoju guzów przysadki. Oznacza to, że obecnie nie ma sposobów na zapobieganie tym guzom. Zamiast tego, badania skupiają się na wczesnym wykrywaniu, zwłaszcza u osób z grupy wysokiego ryzyka, oraz na opracowaniu skutecznych metod leczenia.

Dalsze badania nad molekularnymi mechanizmami powstawania guzów przysadki mogą w przyszłości prowadzić do lepszej diagnostyki, bardziej spersonalizowanego leczenia oraz potencjalnie do opracowania strategii profilaktycznych dla tych powszechnych, ale często niedodiagnozowanych guzów.

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Materiały źródłowe

#1 Pituitary Tumors: Background, Pathophysiology, Epidemiology
https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1157189-overview
Pituitary tumors are common neoplasms that constitute approximately 15% of all intracranial tumors. Among sellar neoplasms, pituitary adenomas are the most common, accounting for up to 90% of the tumors diagnosed in this region. […] The history of pituitary tumor biology is rich. Analysis of DNA extracted from the teeth of an Irish giant (7’7″ tall) who lived from 1761 to 1783 revealed a mutation in the AIP gene the same mutation found in four Northern Irish families with pituitary tumors. This suggests a shared genetic link dating back centuries. […] Around 95% of pituitary adenomas are sporadic. The molecular basis underlying pituitary adenoma pathogenesis encompasses several mechanisms: activating mutations, receptor signaling defects, chromosomal instability and DNA damage, as well as senescence.
#2 Pituitary Tumor: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – Neurosurgery
https://med.virginia.edu/neurosurgery/services/pituitary-tumor-program/pituitary-tumor-frequently-asked-questions/
Pituitary tumors and pituitary adenomas (small tumors) are common. In autopsy studies of patients who did not have known pituitary disease, as many as 26% had a small tumor in the gland. Molecular biology studies have shown that a change in the DNA (genetic mutation) of a pituitary cell can cause unregulated growth of that cell resulting in a pituitary tumor, called an adenoma. There are no known environmental causes. A very uncommon type of pituitary tumor is inherited, this is called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia, Type I. In this situation, there is usually a family history of endocrine tumors, most commonly a parathyroid tumor causing high blood calcium levels, a pituitary tumor which may or may not produce an excessive amount of a hormone and less commonly, a neuroendocrine tumor of the pancreas. This occurs in fewer than 4% of patients with a pituitary tumor.
#3 Pituitary tumors Guide: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options
https://www.drugs.com/health-guide/pituitary-tumors.html
Because doctors do not know why pituitary tumors develop, there is no way to prevent them. […] When tumors develop in the pituitary gland, they are usually small, localized, slow-growing masses that start in one type of hormone-producing pituitary cells. […] In the United States, pituitary tumors are diagnosed in 1 to 15 of every 200,000 people each year, most commonly in women between the ages of 15 and 44. However, autopsy studies suggest that a much larger percentage of the population â perhaps as high as 11% â may have very tiny pituitary tumors that never cause symptoms.
#4 How common pituitary tumors can have huge health effects
https://www.medstarhealth.org/blog/common-pituitary-tumors
As the American Cancer Society notes, doctors diagnose about 10,000 pituitary tumors each year in the United States. However, thats actually just a fraction of the number of tumors that people likely develop on their pituitary glands. If you picture 100 people in a room, about 10 to 15 of them could develop a pituitary tumor sometime during their lives. In fact, one review of multiple studies found that the prevalence of benign (noncancerous) pituitary tumors is approximately 17 percent. […] Pituitary tumors are classified by the type of hormones they secrete. Each type of tumor causes different symptoms and can require different treatments. […] Without treatment, a growing pituitary tumor can compress the pituitary gland and prevent it from releasing life-sustaining hormones, including cortisol (which affects metabolism and immune response) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH, which affects the thyroid, metabolism, heart, digestive system, muscle control and other areas).
#5 What Causes Pituitary Tumors? | American Cancer Society
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/pituitary-tumors/causes-risks-prevention/what-causes.html
We dont know exactly what causes most pituitary tumors. But in recent years, researchers have made great progress in understanding how certain changes in the DNA in pituitary cells can lead to them forming a tumor. […] Some people inherit gene mutations (changes) that increase their risk for pituitary tumors from their parents. Some of these mutations and the genetic syndromes they cause are discussed in Risk Factors for Pituitary Tumors. Members of families with these genetic syndromes can think about having genetic testing to find out if they are affected. […] But often, the gene changes that lead to pituitary tumors are acquired during life, rather than having been inherited. In some types of cancer, acquired gene mutations can be caused by outside exposures, such as radiation or cancer-causing chemicals. But there are no known environmental causes for pituitary tumors. The gene changes in these tumors might just be random events that sometimes happen when a cell divides, without having an outside cause. […] Because there are no known lifestyle-related or environmental causes of pituitary tumors, its important to remember that there is nothing people with these tumors could have done to prevent them.
#6 Pituitary Tumor Causes | Expert Surgeon | Aaron Cohen-Gadol, MD
https://www.aaroncohen-gadol.com/en/patients/pituitary-tumor/pituitary-tumors/causes
The formation of pituitary tumors is like the development of tumors in general, as it can be attributed to random changes (mutations) in the DNA of cells in the pituitary gland that promote continued growth. […] While most mutations are random, there are some rare instances when gene mutations can be passed down from parents to their children. As a result, people can inherit a preexisting genetic mutation that significantly increases their risk for developing pituitary tumors. […] While it is true that the pituitary gland is an important regulator of stress hormones, pituitary tumors occur as the result of genetic mutations. There is no evidence implicating stress in the development of genetic mutations in the pituitary gland. Therefore, stress cannot be considered among causes of pituitary tumors.
#7 Pituitary Adenomas: Definition, Symptoms & Treatment
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15328-pituitary-adenomas
Pituitary adenomas are benign tumors on your pituitary gland. […] Scientists aren’t sure of the exact cause of pituitary adenomas. […] But some adenomas have been linked to accidental changes, or mutations in DNA, the material within a cell that makes up our genes. […] These changes cause the cells in your pituitary gland to grow out of control, making a mass (growth). […] The genetic changes can be passed down from parents to children (inherited), but they usually happen randomly. […] Pituitary adenomas are also associated with certain genetic conditions, including: Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1, Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 4, Carney complex, X-LAG syndrome, Succinate dehydrogenase-related familial pituitary adenoma, Neurofibromatosis type 1, Von HippelLindau syndrome. […] Having one of these conditions makes it more likely that you’ll develop a pituitary adenoma, but you can still have an adenoma without having one of these conditions.
#8 Pituitary Tumors | Cooper University Health Care
https://www.cooperhealth.org/services/pituitary-tumors
Pituitary tumors can occur at any age, but are mostly found in older adults. […] Its not exactly known what causes most pituitary tumors. Some are related to genetic mutations (changes in the cells that make up our genes) that are inherited, which can increase our risk of developing pituitary tumors. […] Other mutations are acquired (they develop during our lifetime), but scientists havent yet identified any environmental causes. […] Its also not clear whether abnormal genes always cause pituitary tumors to form. What is known is that the regulatory mechanism that normally keeps pituitary cells from growing and over-producing hormones doesnt function correctly. […] Pituitary tumors can be part of a syndrome that also increases the risk of other tumor types. These syndromes are causes by genetic changes and include: Multiple endocrine neoplasia (type I), Multiple endocrine neoplasia (type IV), McCune-Albright syndrome.
#9 Benign Tumor on Pituitary Gland: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment
https://www.healthline.com/health/benign-tumor-on-pituitary-gland
Benign pituitary tumors are not cancerous but can still cause problems if they compress your brain tissue or optic nerves. […] There are no known lifestyle or environmental causes of pituitary tumors. […] Many different gene mutations have been linked to pituitary tumors, such as those in the following genes: AIP, GNAS, USP8, USP48, BRAF. […] Pituitary tumors have not been linked with any particular risk factors. Some people have inherited syndromes that cause clusters of pituitary tumors within families. […] Syndromes that increase your risk include: multiple endocrine neoplasia type I or IV, McCune-Albright syndrome, Carney complex, familial isolated pituitary adenoma.
#10 Pituitary Tumors: Background, Pathophysiology, Epidemiology
https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1157189-overview
Multiple oncogene abnormalities have be involved in pituitary tumorigenesis, such as G-protein abnormalities, RAS gene mutations, or p53 gene deletions, mutations, and rearrangements. […] Nonfunctioning adenomas have been associated with hypermethylation of p16. […] Galectin-3 (Gal-3), a gene involved in cell growth and apoptosis, has been described in prolactinomas and corticotrophin adenomas. […] Additionally, familial pituitary adenomas, such as familial gigantism and acromegaly, have been associated with mutations in the aryl hydrocarbon-interacting protein gene (AIP). […] Hereditary pituitary adenomas have also been linked to multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) syndromes, such as MEN types 1 and 4. […] Although pituitary tumorigenesis is heterogeneous and recurrent cell-specific oncogenic mutations are uncommon, recurrent oncogene mutations have been reported in GNAS (somatotrophin adenomas), USP8 (corticotrophin adenomas), and rarely in NR3C1.
#11 Pituitary Adenoma – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554451/
Pituitary adenomas are tumors of the anterior pituitary. Most pituitary tumors are slow-growing and benign. […] The pathogenesis of pituitary adenoma remains unknown. Most of the pituitary adenomas are sporadic. […] Genetic mutation is rarely a feature of pituitary adenoma. Familial cases of pituitary adenomas represent 5% of all pituitary tumors. […] Mutation in the following genes has been found to play a role in the development of pituitary adenomas. Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1): MEN1 is a tumor suppressor gene. Loss of function mutation in this gene leads to tumor formation in the parathyroid, pancreatic, and pituitary glands. […] Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 4 (MEN4): MEN 4 has a mutation in the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1 B gene (CDKN1B) presenting with pituitary tumors, hyperparathyroidism, testicular, and cervical neuroendocrine tumors.
#12 Are Pituitary Tumors Hereditary? Risk Factors for Pituitary Tumors | American Cancer Society
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/pituitary-tumors/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html
Pituitary tumors have only a few known risk factors. […] Most people who develop pituitary tumors don’t have a family history of the disease. But rarely, pituitary tumors can run in families. […] Sometimes, though, the cause of pituitary tumors that run in families is not known. […] Pituitary tumors can sometimes be a part of a syndrome that often includes an increased risk of other types of tumors as well. These syndromes are caused by changes (mutations) in a person’s genes, which are often inherited from a parent. […] This syndrome is caused by changes in the MEN1 gene, and it is passed on to about half of the children of an affected parent. […] But MEN4 is caused by changes in the CDKN1B gene, which are most often inherited from a parent. […] This syndrome is caused by changes in the GNAS gene, which aren’t inherited but occur before birth. […] Many cases are caused by inherited changes in the PRKAR1A gene, but some are caused by changes in other genes that have not yet been identified. […] This syndrome is sometimes caused by changes in the AIP gene, although in many cases the gene changes that cause it aren’t yet known.
#13 Pituitary Adenoma – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554451/
Pituitary adenomas are tumors of the anterior pituitary. Most pituitary tumors are slow-growing and benign. […] The pathogenesis of pituitary adenoma remains unknown. Most of the pituitary adenomas are sporadic. […] Genetic mutation is rarely a feature of pituitary adenoma. Familial cases of pituitary adenomas represent 5% of all pituitary tumors. […] Mutation in the following genes has been found to play a role in the development of pituitary adenomas. Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1): MEN1 is a tumor suppressor gene. Loss of function mutation in this gene leads to tumor formation in the parathyroid, pancreatic, and pituitary glands. […] Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 4 (MEN4): MEN 4 has a mutation in the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1 B gene (CDKN1B) presenting with pituitary tumors, hyperparathyroidism, testicular, and cervical neuroendocrine tumors.
#14 Are Pituitary Tumors Hereditary? Risk Factors for Pituitary Tumors | American Cancer Society
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/pituitary-tumors/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html
Pituitary tumors have only a few known risk factors. […] Most people who develop pituitary tumors don’t have a family history of the disease. But rarely, pituitary tumors can run in families. […] Sometimes, though, the cause of pituitary tumors that run in families is not known. […] Pituitary tumors can sometimes be a part of a syndrome that often includes an increased risk of other types of tumors as well. These syndromes are caused by changes (mutations) in a person’s genes, which are often inherited from a parent. […] This syndrome is caused by changes in the MEN1 gene, and it is passed on to about half of the children of an affected parent. […] But MEN4 is caused by changes in the CDKN1B gene, which are most often inherited from a parent. […] This syndrome is caused by changes in the GNAS gene, which aren’t inherited but occur before birth. […] Many cases are caused by inherited changes in the PRKAR1A gene, but some are caused by changes in other genes that have not yet been identified. […] This syndrome is sometimes caused by changes in the AIP gene, although in many cases the gene changes that cause it aren’t yet known.
#15 Pituitary Adenomas – Pituitary & Skull Base Tumor | UCLA Health
https://www.uclahealth.org/medical-services/neurosurgery/pituitary-skull-base-tumor/conditions/pituitary-adenomas
Most pituitary adenomas occur spontaneously, meaning they are not inherited. […] There are cases of familial pituitary tumors, which is an inherited tendency to develop pituitary adenomas. However, these cases are uncommon. In many familial cases gigantism or a young onset of acromegaly is more common. […] Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN 1) is a rare condition characterized by simultaneous tumors of the pituitary, pancreas and parathyroid glands. Pituitary adenomas develop in 25 percent of patients with MEN 1.
#16 Pituitary Adenoma – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554451/
Pituitary adenomas are tumors of the anterior pituitary. Most pituitary tumors are slow-growing and benign. […] The pathogenesis of pituitary adenoma remains unknown. Most of the pituitary adenomas are sporadic. […] Genetic mutation is rarely a feature of pituitary adenoma. Familial cases of pituitary adenomas represent 5% of all pituitary tumors. […] Mutation in the following genes has been found to play a role in the development of pituitary adenomas. Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1): MEN1 is a tumor suppressor gene. Loss of function mutation in this gene leads to tumor formation in the parathyroid, pancreatic, and pituitary glands. […] Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 4 (MEN4): MEN 4 has a mutation in the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1 B gene (CDKN1B) presenting with pituitary tumors, hyperparathyroidism, testicular, and cervical neuroendocrine tumors.
#17 Are Pituitary Tumors Hereditary? Risk Factors for Pituitary Tumors | American Cancer Society
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/pituitary-tumors/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html
Pituitary tumors have only a few known risk factors. […] Most people who develop pituitary tumors don’t have a family history of the disease. But rarely, pituitary tumors can run in families. […] Sometimes, though, the cause of pituitary tumors that run in families is not known. […] Pituitary tumors can sometimes be a part of a syndrome that often includes an increased risk of other types of tumors as well. These syndromes are caused by changes (mutations) in a person’s genes, which are often inherited from a parent. […] This syndrome is caused by changes in the MEN1 gene, and it is passed on to about half of the children of an affected parent. […] But MEN4 is caused by changes in the CDKN1B gene, which are most often inherited from a parent. […] This syndrome is caused by changes in the GNAS gene, which aren’t inherited but occur before birth. […] Many cases are caused by inherited changes in the PRKAR1A gene, but some are caused by changes in other genes that have not yet been identified. […] This syndrome is sometimes caused by changes in the AIP gene, although in many cases the gene changes that cause it aren’t yet known.
#18 Are Pituitary Tumors Hereditary? Risk Factors for Pituitary Tumors | American Cancer Society
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/pituitary-tumors/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html
Pituitary tumors have only a few known risk factors. […] Most people who develop pituitary tumors don’t have a family history of the disease. But rarely, pituitary tumors can run in families. […] Sometimes, though, the cause of pituitary tumors that run in families is not known. […] Pituitary tumors can sometimes be a part of a syndrome that often includes an increased risk of other types of tumors as well. These syndromes are caused by changes (mutations) in a person’s genes, which are often inherited from a parent. […] This syndrome is caused by changes in the MEN1 gene, and it is passed on to about half of the children of an affected parent. […] But MEN4 is caused by changes in the CDKN1B gene, which are most often inherited from a parent. […] This syndrome is caused by changes in the GNAS gene, which aren’t inherited but occur before birth. […] Many cases are caused by inherited changes in the PRKAR1A gene, but some are caused by changes in other genes that have not yet been identified. […] This syndrome is sometimes caused by changes in the AIP gene, although in many cases the gene changes that cause it aren’t yet known.
#19 Pituitary Adenoma – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554451/
Carney complex (CNC): In the Carney complex, there is a germline mutation of the tumor suppressor gene PRKAR1A leading to primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease (PPNAD), testicular tumors, thyroid nodules, spotty skin hyperpigmentation, and acromegaly. […] Familial isolated pituitary adenomas (FIPA): Aryl hydrocarbon receptor-interacting protein (AIP) mutation is reported in adolescence or early adulthood in about 15% of all FIPA. These tumors are usually aggressive and they most commonly secrete growth hormone causing acromegaly.
#20 Pituitary Adenoma – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554451/
Carney complex (CNC): In the Carney complex, there is a germline mutation of the tumor suppressor gene PRKAR1A leading to primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease (PPNAD), testicular tumors, thyroid nodules, spotty skin hyperpigmentation, and acromegaly. […] Familial isolated pituitary adenomas (FIPA): Aryl hydrocarbon receptor-interacting protein (AIP) mutation is reported in adolescence or early adulthood in about 15% of all FIPA. These tumors are usually aggressive and they most commonly secrete growth hormone causing acromegaly.
#21 Pituitary adenoma – Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pituitary_adenoma
Familial isolated pituitary adenoma (FIPA) is a term that is used to identify a condition that displays an autosomal dominant inheritance and is characterised by the presence of two or more related patients affected by adenomas of the pituitary gland only, with no other associated symptoms that occur in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN-1), Carney complex and with mutations in the aryl hydrocarbon receptor-interacting protein (AIP) gene. […] FIPA has two known genetic causes, mutations in the AH receptor-interacting protein (AIP) gene and duplications in chromosome Xq26.3 that include the GPR101 gene that also causes X-linked acrogigantism (X-LAG) syndrome. […] X-LAG is a rare syndrome of very early childhood onset pituitary tumors/hyperplasia that leads to growth hormone excess and severe overgrowth and pituitary gigantism.
#22 Causes of Pituitary Conditions – Pituitary Foundation
https://www.pituitary.org.uk/information/pituitary-tumours/
There are a range of causes for pituitary conditions, the most common being a non-cancerous tumour. Other causes include traumatic brain injury. […] The most common problem with the pituitary gland occurs when a benign tumour (aka a growth) also called an adenoma, develops. […] Pituitary dysfunction following this may occur and is a serious consequence. […] If blood supply to the pituitary gland is restricted, the tissue can die. This is known as pituitary infarction and can result in hypopituitarism. Infarctions can occur as a result of impaired blood flow to the pituitary gland or head trauma. […] Sheehans syndrome (also known as postpartum hypopituitarism, or postpartum pituitary insufficiency) may occur in a woman who has severe uterine haemorrhage, or low blood pressure, during childbirth. […] Another cause of hypopituitarism that may be associated with pregnancy is lymphocytic hypophysitis. This is due to inflammation in the pituitary caused by immune cells. The reasons why this occurs is not understood.
#23 Causes of Pituitary Conditions – Pituitary Foundation
https://www.pituitary.org.uk/information/pituitary-tumours/
There are a range of causes for pituitary conditions, the most common being a non-cancerous tumour. Other causes include traumatic brain injury. […] The most common problem with the pituitary gland occurs when a benign tumour (aka a growth) also called an adenoma, develops. […] Pituitary dysfunction following this may occur and is a serious consequence. […] If blood supply to the pituitary gland is restricted, the tissue can die. This is known as pituitary infarction and can result in hypopituitarism. Infarctions can occur as a result of impaired blood flow to the pituitary gland or head trauma. […] Sheehans syndrome (also known as postpartum hypopituitarism, or postpartum pituitary insufficiency) may occur in a woman who has severe uterine haemorrhage, or low blood pressure, during childbirth. […] Another cause of hypopituitarism that may be associated with pregnancy is lymphocytic hypophysitis. This is due to inflammation in the pituitary caused by immune cells. The reasons why this occurs is not understood.
#24 Causes of Pituitary Conditions – Pituitary Foundation
https://www.pituitary.org.uk/information/pituitary-tumours/
There are a range of causes for pituitary conditions, the most common being a non-cancerous tumour. Other causes include traumatic brain injury. […] The most common problem with the pituitary gland occurs when a benign tumour (aka a growth) also called an adenoma, develops. […] Pituitary dysfunction following this may occur and is a serious consequence. […] If blood supply to the pituitary gland is restricted, the tissue can die. This is known as pituitary infarction and can result in hypopituitarism. Infarctions can occur as a result of impaired blood flow to the pituitary gland or head trauma. […] Sheehans syndrome (also known as postpartum hypopituitarism, or postpartum pituitary insufficiency) may occur in a woman who has severe uterine haemorrhage, or low blood pressure, during childbirth. […] Another cause of hypopituitarism that may be associated with pregnancy is lymphocytic hypophysitis. This is due to inflammation in the pituitary caused by immune cells. The reasons why this occurs is not understood.
#25 Enlarged Pituitary Gland: Causes Other Than Tumors
https://www.healthline.com/health/cancer/enlarged-pituitary-gland-no-tumor
Some medications or hormone therapies may also cause pituitary hyperplasia, including atypical (second-generation) antipsychotics, GnRH antagonists, and estrogen. […] Tuberculosis (TB) is a rare cause of an enlarged pituitary gland. […] Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disorder that most commonly affects your lungs. But it can also cause inflammation in your nervous system, including the pituitary gland. […] Hypophysitis is inflammation of the pituitary gland that causes it to be enlarged. The underlying cause is usually an autoimmune, infectious, or other disorder.
#26 Enlarged Pituitary Gland: Causes Other Than Tumors
https://www.healthline.com/health/cancer/enlarged-pituitary-gland-no-tumor
An enlarged pituitary gland can be problematic because theres only so much room in your skull. When the pituitary gland gets bigger, it can press on surrounding brain structures, resulting in various potential symptoms. […] The most common reason for an enlarged pituitary gland is a tumor. Most of these tumors are benign (noncancerous), but some may be malignant (cancerous). […] But a tumor isnt the only possible explanation for an enlarged pituitary gland. […] Hypothyroidism is when your thyroid gland doesnt produce enough hormones. Your pituitary gland starts to overproduce hormones because it doesnt get feedback from the thyroid gland. This causes pituitary hyperplasia (an increase in the number of cells), resulting in an enlarged pituitary gland. […] Pregnancy naturally enlarges the pituitary gland through hyperplasia, sometimes by as much as 70%.
#27 Enlarged Pituitary Gland: Causes Other Than Tumors
https://www.healthline.com/health/cancer/enlarged-pituitary-gland-no-tumor
An enlarged pituitary gland can be problematic because theres only so much room in your skull. When the pituitary gland gets bigger, it can press on surrounding brain structures, resulting in various potential symptoms. […] The most common reason for an enlarged pituitary gland is a tumor. Most of these tumors are benign (noncancerous), but some may be malignant (cancerous). […] But a tumor isnt the only possible explanation for an enlarged pituitary gland. […] Hypothyroidism is when your thyroid gland doesnt produce enough hormones. Your pituitary gland starts to overproduce hormones because it doesnt get feedback from the thyroid gland. This causes pituitary hyperplasia (an increase in the number of cells), resulting in an enlarged pituitary gland. […] Pregnancy naturally enlarges the pituitary gland through hyperplasia, sometimes by as much as 70%.
#28 Enlarged Pituitary Gland: Causes Other Than Tumors
https://www.healthline.com/health/cancer/enlarged-pituitary-gland-no-tumor
Some medications or hormone therapies may also cause pituitary hyperplasia, including atypical (second-generation) antipsychotics, GnRH antagonists, and estrogen. […] Tuberculosis (TB) is a rare cause of an enlarged pituitary gland. […] Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disorder that most commonly affects your lungs. But it can also cause inflammation in your nervous system, including the pituitary gland. […] Hypophysitis is inflammation of the pituitary gland that causes it to be enlarged. The underlying cause is usually an autoimmune, infectious, or other disorder.
#29 Pituitary Macroadenoma | Barrow Neurological InstituteSecond Opinion IconSecond Opinion IconGroup 9Group 49
https://www.barrowneuro.org/condition/macroadenoma/
A macroadenoma is a benign tumor composed of glandular tissue growth larger than 10 mm. […] It is not known exactly what causes a pituitary macroadenoma. Some people inherit gene mutations that increase their risk of developing these tumors. Other cases are sporadic, meaning there is no family history. Gene mutations may still be involved in sporadic cases.
#30 Pituitary Tumors | Endocrine Society
https://www.endocrine.org/patient-engagement/endocrine-library/pituitary-tumors
The most common type of pituitary disorder is a pituitary gland tumor. They are not brain tumors and are almost always benign (non-cancerous); cancerous pituitary tumors are extremely rare. […] There are two types of tumors functioning and non-functioning. Functioning tumors produce too much of a hormone normally made by the pituitary, and non-functioning tumors do not. […] A prolactinoma is the most common secretory tumor, accounting for about 40% of pituitary tumors. This tumor produces too much prolactin, the hormone that causes milk production, also called hyperprolactinemia. Prolactinomas affect both men and women with now known cause. […] While some tumors of the pituitary secrete too much of a hormones causing several health problems, other pituitary tumors do not secrete hormones. Instead, they may cause health problems because of their size and location.
#31 Pituitary Tumor | University of Michigan Health
https://www.uofmhealth.org/conditions-treatments/brain-neurological-conditions/pituitary-tumor
Pituitary tumors form in the pituitary gland, a pea-sized organ at the base of the brain about 2 inches straight back from the bridge of the nose. Ninety-nine percent of pituitary tumors are noncancerous (benign). However, because the pituitary gland affects important body functions, these tumors can cause serious symptoms and require specialized and often urgent treatment. […] The most common type of pituitary tumor is known as a pituitary adenoma. This type of pituitary tumor makes up more than 90% of all cases. […] Nonfunctioning tumors account for approximately 65 percent of pituitary tumors. […] Functioning tumors account for approximately 35 percent of pituitary tumors. […] Cancerous pituitary tumors, known as pituitary carcinomas, are very rare. […] There are also two types of tumors that originate outside the pituitary gland, but may be treated similarly to pituitary tumors. […] The treatment will depend on what type of pituitary tumor is identified, and if it is functioning or nonfunctioning.
#32 Pituitary Tumor | University of Michigan Health
https://www.uofmhealth.org/conditions-treatments/brain-neurological-conditions/pituitary-tumor
Pituitary tumors form in the pituitary gland, a pea-sized organ at the base of the brain about 2 inches straight back from the bridge of the nose. Ninety-nine percent of pituitary tumors are noncancerous (benign). However, because the pituitary gland affects important body functions, these tumors can cause serious symptoms and require specialized and often urgent treatment. […] The most common type of pituitary tumor is known as a pituitary adenoma. This type of pituitary tumor makes up more than 90% of all cases. […] Nonfunctioning tumors account for approximately 65 percent of pituitary tumors. […] Functioning tumors account for approximately 35 percent of pituitary tumors. […] Cancerous pituitary tumors, known as pituitary carcinomas, are very rare. […] There are also two types of tumors that originate outside the pituitary gland, but may be treated similarly to pituitary tumors. […] The treatment will depend on what type of pituitary tumor is identified, and if it is functioning or nonfunctioning.
#33 Pituitary Tumors – Neurologic Disorders – Merck Manual Professional Edition
https://www.merckmanuals.com/en-ca/professional/neurologic-disorders/intracranial-and-spinal-tumors/pituitary-tumors
Most pituitary tumors are adenomas. […] Most tumors of the pituitary and suprasellar region are pituitary adenomas. Rarely, pituitary tumors are carcinomas. […] Adenomas may be secretory or nonsecretory. Secretory adenomas produce pituitary hormones; many secretory adenomas are 10 mm in size (microadenomas). […] The hormone most commonly overproduced is prolactin. […] Any tumor that grows out of the pituitary can compress optic nerve tracts, including the chiasm. Tumors may also compress or destroy pituitary or hypothalamic tissue, impairing hormone production or secretion. […] Sometimes pituitary tumors that compress tissue throughout the anterior lobe of the pituitary reduce production of multiple pituitary hormones, causing generalized hypopituitarism. […] Pituitary tumors are suspected in patients with unexplained headaches, characteristic visual abnormalities, or endocrinopathies.
#34 Pituitary Tumors | Endocrine Society
https://www.endocrine.org/patient-engagement/endocrine-library/pituitary-tumors
The most common type of pituitary disorder is a pituitary gland tumor. They are not brain tumors and are almost always benign (non-cancerous); cancerous pituitary tumors are extremely rare. […] There are two types of tumors functioning and non-functioning. Functioning tumors produce too much of a hormone normally made by the pituitary, and non-functioning tumors do not. […] A prolactinoma is the most common secretory tumor, accounting for about 40% of pituitary tumors. This tumor produces too much prolactin, the hormone that causes milk production, also called hyperprolactinemia. Prolactinomas affect both men and women with now known cause. […] While some tumors of the pituitary secrete too much of a hormones causing several health problems, other pituitary tumors do not secrete hormones. Instead, they may cause health problems because of their size and location.
#35 Pituitary Tumors – Pituitary Gland Tumors | Mount Sinai – New York
https://www.mountsinai.org/care/neurosurgery/services/pituitary-disorders/tumors
About one in four pituitary adenomas are non-functioning tumors, according to the American Brain Tumor Association. […] Prolactin-producing tumors (prolactinomas) account for about half of pituitary adenomas. […] Thyroid-simulating tumors (TSH) are the rarest of the pituitary tumors. They lead to an overproduction of TSH, which stimulates the thyroid glands to make too much thyroxine, causing hyperthyroidism.
#36 Pituitary Tumors – Pituitary Gland Tumors | Mount Sinai – New York
https://www.mountsinai.org/care/neurosurgery/services/pituitary-disorders/tumors
More than 10,000 pituitary tumors are diagnosed every year, according to the American Cancer Society. Most of these are benign adenomas that grow slowly. […] Pituitary tumors are not cancerous, but some of them can cause harm because they compress and damage normal pituitary tissue, interfering with hormone production. Other tumors can overproduce hormones. Either way, producing too much or too little hormone, can cause problems throughout the body. […] There are several types of pituitary tumors: […] Adrenocorticotropic hormone- (ACTH) producing tumors cause the pituitary gland to secrete increased amounts of ACTH, which then causes the adrenal glands to produce excess cortisol. […] About one in five pituitary adenomas are growth hormone tumors, according to the American Brain Tumor Association.
#37 Pituitary Tumors – Pituitary Gland Tumors | Mount Sinai – New York
https://www.mountsinai.org/care/neurosurgery/services/pituitary-disorders/tumors
More than 10,000 pituitary tumors are diagnosed every year, according to the American Cancer Society. Most of these are benign adenomas that grow slowly. […] Pituitary tumors are not cancerous, but some of them can cause harm because they compress and damage normal pituitary tissue, interfering with hormone production. Other tumors can overproduce hormones. Either way, producing too much or too little hormone, can cause problems throughout the body. […] There are several types of pituitary tumors: […] Adrenocorticotropic hormone- (ACTH) producing tumors cause the pituitary gland to secrete increased amounts of ACTH, which then causes the adrenal glands to produce excess cortisol. […] About one in five pituitary adenomas are growth hormone tumors, according to the American Brain Tumor Association.
#38 Pituitary Tumors – Pituitary Gland Tumors | Mount Sinai – New York
https://www.mountsinai.org/care/neurosurgery/services/pituitary-disorders/tumors
About one in four pituitary adenomas are non-functioning tumors, according to the American Brain Tumor Association. […] Prolactin-producing tumors (prolactinomas) account for about half of pituitary adenomas. […] Thyroid-simulating tumors (TSH) are the rarest of the pituitary tumors. They lead to an overproduction of TSH, which stimulates the thyroid glands to make too much thyroxine, causing hyperthyroidism.
#39 How common pituitary tumors can have huge health effects
https://www.medstarhealth.org/blog/common-pituitary-tumors
Our first step when we suspect a growth-hormone-secreting tumor is to test the patients hormone levels. We need to make sure they dont have a very rare co-secreting tumor, also known as a plurihormonal adenoma, that makes more than one type of hormone. […] Many experts must work together when we suspect a patient has a pituitary tumor.
#40 Pituitary Tumors – Neurologic Disorders – Merck Manual Professional Edition
https://www.merckmanuals.com/en-ca/professional/neurologic-disorders/intracranial-and-spinal-tumors/pituitary-tumors
Most pituitary tumors are adenomas. […] Most tumors of the pituitary and suprasellar region are pituitary adenomas. Rarely, pituitary tumors are carcinomas. […] Adenomas may be secretory or nonsecretory. Secretory adenomas produce pituitary hormones; many secretory adenomas are 10 mm in size (microadenomas). […] The hormone most commonly overproduced is prolactin. […] Any tumor that grows out of the pituitary can compress optic nerve tracts, including the chiasm. Tumors may also compress or destroy pituitary or hypothalamic tissue, impairing hormone production or secretion. […] Sometimes pituitary tumors that compress tissue throughout the anterior lobe of the pituitary reduce production of multiple pituitary hormones, causing generalized hypopituitarism. […] Pituitary tumors are suspected in patients with unexplained headaches, characteristic visual abnormalities, or endocrinopathies.
#41 Pituitary adenoma – Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pituitary_adenoma
Pituitary adenomas are tumors that occur in the pituitary gland. Most pituitary tumors are benign, approximately 35% are invasive and just 0.1% to 0.2% are carcinomas. […] Non-invasive and non-secreting pituitary adenomas are considered to be benign in the literal as well as the clinical sense, though a 2011 meta-analysis of available research showed that research to either support or refute this assumption was scant and of questionable quality. […] Adenomas of the anterior pituitary gland are a major clinical feature of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1), a rare inherited endocrine syndrome that affects 1 person in every 30,000. […] Approximately 25 percent of patients with MEN1 develop pituitary adenomas. […] Patients with CNC develop growth hormone (GH)-producing pituitary tumors and in some instances these same tumors also secrete prolactin.
#42 Pituitary adenoma – Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pituitary_adenoma
Pituitary adenomas are tumors that occur in the pituitary gland. Most pituitary tumors are benign, approximately 35% are invasive and just 0.1% to 0.2% are carcinomas. […] Non-invasive and non-secreting pituitary adenomas are considered to be benign in the literal as well as the clinical sense, though a 2011 meta-analysis of available research showed that research to either support or refute this assumption was scant and of questionable quality. […] Adenomas of the anterior pituitary gland are a major clinical feature of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1), a rare inherited endocrine syndrome that affects 1 person in every 30,000. […] Approximately 25 percent of patients with MEN1 develop pituitary adenomas. […] Patients with CNC develop growth hormone (GH)-producing pituitary tumors and in some instances these same tumors also secrete prolactin.
#43 Pituitary Tumours: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment | Doctor
https://patient.info/doctor/pituitary-tumours
Tumours of the pituitary gland are almost always benign and are usually curable. Pituitary tumours may be associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1), which is a rare hereditary endocrine cancer syndrome characterised by tumours of the parathyroid glands, endocrine gastroenteropancreatic tract (eg, gastrinomas, insulinomas and carcinoid tumours) and anterior pituitary – eg, prolactinomas. […] Adenomas account for the largest portion of pituitary neoplasms (estimated at approximately 17%). Only a minority of adenomas are symptomatic. […] Carcinomas account for 0.1% to 0.2% of all pituitary tumours.
#44 Pituitary Tumor: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – Neurosurgery
https://med.virginia.edu/neurosurgery/services/pituitary-tumor-program/pituitary-tumor-frequently-asked-questions/
A pituitary tumor is NOT a brain tumor. […] No, in over 99% of patients, this is NOT a cancer; it is benign. Although the tumor is benign, it can cause problems because of its size, causing loss of vision, loss of normal pituitary function (hypopituitarism) and/or headache or because of excessive hormone production by the tumor. […] Specific types of tumors cause various symptoms and changes in body function. […] Craniopharyngioma/Rathkes Cleft Cyst: These tumors are congenital a problem in the development of the pituitary gland which begins during fetal (in the womb) development, it is present at birth but may not cause a problem until childhood or adulthood until growth causes a problem. This is not a malignant (cancerous) tumor but it often interferes with normal pituitary function causing hypopituitarism (loss of pituitary function) or cause headache or loss of vision.
#45 Pituitary Tumor: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – Neurosurgery
https://med.virginia.edu/neurosurgery/services/pituitary-tumor-program/pituitary-tumor-frequently-asked-questions/
A pituitary tumor is NOT a brain tumor. […] No, in over 99% of patients, this is NOT a cancer; it is benign. Although the tumor is benign, it can cause problems because of its size, causing loss of vision, loss of normal pituitary function (hypopituitarism) and/or headache or because of excessive hormone production by the tumor. […] Specific types of tumors cause various symptoms and changes in body function. […] Craniopharyngioma/Rathkes Cleft Cyst: These tumors are congenital a problem in the development of the pituitary gland which begins during fetal (in the womb) development, it is present at birth but may not cause a problem until childhood or adulthood until growth causes a problem. This is not a malignant (cancerous) tumor but it often interferes with normal pituitary function causing hypopituitarism (loss of pituitary function) or cause headache or loss of vision.
#46 Pituitary tumors Guide: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options
https://www.drugs.com/health-guide/pituitary-tumors.html
Because doctors do not know why pituitary tumors develop, there is no way to prevent them. […] When tumors develop in the pituitary gland, they are usually small, localized, slow-growing masses that start in one type of hormone-producing pituitary cells. […] In the United States, pituitary tumors are diagnosed in 1 to 15 of every 200,000 people each year, most commonly in women between the ages of 15 and 44. However, autopsy studies suggest that a much larger percentage of the population â perhaps as high as 11% â may have very tiny pituitary tumors that never cause symptoms.
#47 Pituitary tumors Guide: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options
https://www.drugs.com/health-guide/pituitary-tumors.html
Because doctors do not know why pituitary tumors develop, there is no way to prevent them. […] When tumors develop in the pituitary gland, they are usually small, localized, slow-growing masses that start in one type of hormone-producing pituitary cells. […] In the United States, pituitary tumors are diagnosed in 1 to 15 of every 200,000 people each year, most commonly in women between the ages of 15 and 44. However, autopsy studies suggest that a much larger percentage of the population â perhaps as high as 11% â may have very tiny pituitary tumors that never cause symptoms.
#48 How common pituitary tumors can have huge health effects
https://www.medstarhealth.org/blog/common-pituitary-tumors
As the American Cancer Society notes, doctors diagnose about 10,000 pituitary tumors each year in the United States. However, thats actually just a fraction of the number of tumors that people likely develop on their pituitary glands. If you picture 100 people in a room, about 10 to 15 of them could develop a pituitary tumor sometime during their lives. In fact, one review of multiple studies found that the prevalence of benign (noncancerous) pituitary tumors is approximately 17 percent. […] Pituitary tumors are classified by the type of hormones they secrete. Each type of tumor causes different symptoms and can require different treatments. […] Without treatment, a growing pituitary tumor can compress the pituitary gland and prevent it from releasing life-sustaining hormones, including cortisol (which affects metabolism and immune response) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH, which affects the thyroid, metabolism, heart, digestive system, muscle control and other areas).
#49 How common pituitary tumors can have huge health effects
https://www.medstarhealth.org/blog/common-pituitary-tumors
As the American Cancer Society notes, doctors diagnose about 10,000 pituitary tumors each year in the United States. However, thats actually just a fraction of the number of tumors that people likely develop on their pituitary glands. If you picture 100 people in a room, about 10 to 15 of them could develop a pituitary tumor sometime during their lives. In fact, one review of multiple studies found that the prevalence of benign (noncancerous) pituitary tumors is approximately 17 percent. […] Pituitary tumors are classified by the type of hormones they secrete. Each type of tumor causes different symptoms and can require different treatments. […] Without treatment, a growing pituitary tumor can compress the pituitary gland and prevent it from releasing life-sustaining hormones, including cortisol (which affects metabolism and immune response) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH, which affects the thyroid, metabolism, heart, digestive system, muscle control and other areas).
#50 How common pituitary tumors can have huge health effects
https://www.medstarhealth.org/blog/common-pituitary-tumors
As the American Cancer Society notes, doctors diagnose about 10,000 pituitary tumors each year in the United States. However, thats actually just a fraction of the number of tumors that people likely develop on their pituitary glands. If you picture 100 people in a room, about 10 to 15 of them could develop a pituitary tumor sometime during their lives. In fact, one review of multiple studies found that the prevalence of benign (noncancerous) pituitary tumors is approximately 17 percent. […] Pituitary tumors are classified by the type of hormones they secrete. Each type of tumor causes different symptoms and can require different treatments. […] Without treatment, a growing pituitary tumor can compress the pituitary gland and prevent it from releasing life-sustaining hormones, including cortisol (which affects metabolism and immune response) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH, which affects the thyroid, metabolism, heart, digestive system, muscle control and other areas).
#51 What Causes Pituitary Tumors? | American Cancer Society
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/pituitary-tumors/causes-risks-prevention/what-causes.html
We dont know exactly what causes most pituitary tumors. But in recent years, researchers have made great progress in understanding how certain changes in the DNA in pituitary cells can lead to them forming a tumor. […] Some people inherit gene mutations (changes) that increase their risk for pituitary tumors from their parents. Some of these mutations and the genetic syndromes they cause are discussed in Risk Factors for Pituitary Tumors. Members of families with these genetic syndromes can think about having genetic testing to find out if they are affected. […] But often, the gene changes that lead to pituitary tumors are acquired during life, rather than having been inherited. In some types of cancer, acquired gene mutations can be caused by outside exposures, such as radiation or cancer-causing chemicals. But there are no known environmental causes for pituitary tumors. The gene changes in these tumors might just be random events that sometimes happen when a cell divides, without having an outside cause. […] Because there are no known lifestyle-related or environmental causes of pituitary tumors, its important to remember that there is nothing people with these tumors could have done to prevent them.
#52 Pituitary Tumor Causes | Expert Surgeon | Aaron Cohen-Gadol, MD
https://www.aaroncohen-gadol.com/en/patients/pituitary-tumor/pituitary-tumors/causes
The formation of pituitary tumors is like the development of tumors in general, as it can be attributed to random changes (mutations) in the DNA of cells in the pituitary gland that promote continued growth. […] While most mutations are random, there are some rare instances when gene mutations can be passed down from parents to their children. As a result, people can inherit a preexisting genetic mutation that significantly increases their risk for developing pituitary tumors. […] While it is true that the pituitary gland is an important regulator of stress hormones, pituitary tumors occur as the result of genetic mutations. There is no evidence implicating stress in the development of genetic mutations in the pituitary gland. Therefore, stress cannot be considered among causes of pituitary tumors.
#53 Are pituitary tumors hereditary? Genetics, risks, and more
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/are-pituitary-tumors-hereditary
In rare cases, pituitary tumors can run in families or occur due to genetic syndromes that pass down from one generation to the next. […] Experts still do not know the exact cause of pituitary tumors. […] What they do know is they occur due to changes in the cellular DNA, which a person can inherit in some cases. In the majority of cases, a person acquires them, meaning the DNA changes during the course of a persons life. […] The majority of pituitary tumors occur due to spontaneous or acquired mutations in the genes of the pituitary cells. […] There are not many known risk factors, but genetic conditions that often run in families can increase the chances a person will develop pituitary tumors. […] The only known risk factors include genetic syndromes and, rarely, a family history. As a result, a person may not be able to prevent a pituitary tumor from developing.
#54 Pituitary Tumors: Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment | Orlando | UCF Health
https://ucfhealth.com/our-services/endocrinology/pituitary-tumors/
Pituitary tumors are abnormal growths that develop in the pituitary gland, near the brain and nasal passages. […] There are very few known risk factors for pituitary tumor growth, and most are due to genetics. […] Genetic risk factors include having familial acromegaly (rare genetic condition that causes abnormal cells to grow in the pituitary gland;) carney complex (rare genetic condition characterized by abnormal pigmentation on the body;) and multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN 1) (rare disorder that causes abnormal growth in the endocrine system.) […] While there is no evidence that environmental factors play a role in pituitary tumor growth, there is evidence to suggest that chronic and severe stress, childhood trauma and/or physical trauma may increase a persons risk of developing a pituitary tumor. […] The European Society of Endocrinology states that traumatic situations may interfere with epigenetic processes which silence tumor suppressor genes and promote the development of pituitary adenomas.
#55 Pituitary Tumor Causes | Expert Surgeon | Aaron Cohen-Gadol, MD
https://www.aaroncohen-gadol.com/en/patients/pituitary-tumor/pituitary-tumors/causes
The formation of pituitary tumors is like the development of tumors in general, as it can be attributed to random changes (mutations) in the DNA of cells in the pituitary gland that promote continued growth. […] While most mutations are random, there are some rare instances when gene mutations can be passed down from parents to their children. As a result, people can inherit a preexisting genetic mutation that significantly increases their risk for developing pituitary tumors. […] While it is true that the pituitary gland is an important regulator of stress hormones, pituitary tumors occur as the result of genetic mutations. There is no evidence implicating stress in the development of genetic mutations in the pituitary gland. Therefore, stress cannot be considered among causes of pituitary tumors.
#56 Pituitary Tumor Causes | Expert Surgeon | Aaron Cohen-Gadol, MD
https://www.aaroncohen-gadol.com/en/patients/pituitary-tumor/pituitary-tumors/causes
The formation of pituitary tumors is like the development of tumors in general, as it can be attributed to random changes (mutations) in the DNA of cells in the pituitary gland that promote continued growth. […] While most mutations are random, there are some rare instances when gene mutations can be passed down from parents to their children. As a result, people can inherit a preexisting genetic mutation that significantly increases their risk for developing pituitary tumors. […] While it is true that the pituitary gland is an important regulator of stress hormones, pituitary tumors occur as the result of genetic mutations. There is no evidence implicating stress in the development of genetic mutations in the pituitary gland. Therefore, stress cannot be considered among causes of pituitary tumors.
#57 Pituitary Tumors | Barrow Neurological InstituteSecond Opinion IconGroup 49
https://www.barrowneuro.org/condition/pituitary-tumors/
It is unknown what exactly causes most pituitary tumors. […] Some people inherit gene mutations that can increase their risk for developing these tumors, but most people who develop pituitary tumors do not have a family history of the disease. […] Because scientists have not identified any environmental or lifestyle-related causes of pituitary tumors, there is currently no known way to prevent them.
#58 Are pituitary tumors hereditary? Genetics, risks, and more
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/are-pituitary-tumors-hereditary
People with certain genetic conditions, such as MEN1 or MEN4, have a higher risk of pituitary tumors. However, pituitary tumors rarely run in families and have few other known risk factors. […] Pituitary tumors are rarely hereditary. However, the exact cause and reason for their development is still not known. […] The only known risk factors are genetic conditions. If a person has a genetic syndrome that increases their risk of pituitary tumors, their doctor may recommend routine screening.
#59 Pituitary Tumors (Pituitary Adenomas) | Stanford Health Care
https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-conditions/brain-and-nerves/pituitary-tumors.html
Pituitary tumors develop in the pituitary gland. The gland is located at the center of the skull base, between the sinus cavity and the brain. Though these are noncancerous, slow-growing tumors, they can invade other structures and become challenging to treat and cure. […] Clinical trials evaluate new approaches, devices, or medications in the treatment of pituitary tumors.
#60 Pituitary Tumors: Background, Pathophysiology, Epidemiology
https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1157189-overview
Most of these tumors are benign, but certain factors involved in tumorigenesis may determine their aggressiveness. For instance, the presence of p53 correlates with more aggressive tumor behavior. […] Furthermore, mutations in AIP, MEN1, and GPR101 have been found to be more frequently invasive. […] Likewise, the pituitary tumor transforming gene-1 (PTTG-1) is an oncogene that has also been implicated in pituitary tumors as a marker of invasiveness and recurrence.