Pituitary Tumors
Educational information. Individual clinical review of this presentation by Dr. Ehsan is not yet documented. It does not replace personal medical evaluation.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine. Read the original source
MedlinePlus data edition September 26, 2026. Imported September 27, 2026. These dates do not indicate a new clinical review of the article.
Your pituitary gland is a pea-sized gland at the base of your brain. The pituitary is the "master control gland" - it makes hormones that affect growth and the functions of other glands in the body.
Pituitary tumors are common, but often they don't cause health problems. Most people with pituitary tumors never even know they have them. The most common type of pituitary tumor produces hormones and disrupts the balance of hormones in your body. This can cause endocrine diseases such as Cushing's syndrome and hyperthyroidism.
Symptoms of pituitary tumors include:
- Headaches
- Vision problems
- Nausea and vomiting
- Problems caused by the production of too many hormones
Pituitary tumors are usually curable. Treatment is often surgery to remove the tumor. Other options include medicines, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
Symptoms, tests and care options
Further reading selected by MedlinePlus. Links open the original organizations’ websites.
- Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) · National Library of Medicine
- Brain MRI (Head MRI) · Radiological Society of North America
- Growth Hormone Tests · National Library of Medicine
- Pituitary Tumors Signs and Symptoms · National Cancer Institute
- Pituitary Tumors Treatment · National Cancer Institute
- What Are the Symptoms of Pituitary Tumors? · Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
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