Pituitary adenomas are benign tumours that develop in the pituitary gland, a small pea-sized gland located at the base of the brain. Despite being benign, they can cause health problems due to their size and hormone secretion.

These tumours can be categorized based on their size and hormone secretion:

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Non-functioning Adenomas

These tumours do not produce excessive hormones but can still cause symptoms due to their size, such as headaches, vision problems, or hormonal deficiencies if they compress nearby structures.

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Functioning Adenomas

These tumours produce hormones, leading to specific symptoms depending on the type of hormone they secrete. Common types include:

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• Prolactinomas
  These adenomas produce prolactin, leading to symptoms like irregular menstrual periods, breast milk production in non-pregnant individuals, and infertility.

• Growth Hormone-Secreting Adenomas
  These tumours cause excess growth hormone production, resulting in acromegaly (abnormal growth of hands, feet, and facial features) or gigantism if it occurs before puberty.

• Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)-Secreting Adenomas
  These tumours cause excess cortisol production, leading to Cushing's disease characterised by weight gain, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other symptoms.

• Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH)-Secreting Adenomas
  These tumours produce excess thyroid-stimulating hormone, resulting in hyperthyroidism.
   

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of pituitary adenomas often involves imaging studies such as MRI or CT scans, as well as hormone level measurements to determine hormone production.

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Treatment

Treatment options include medication to shrink the tumour or control hormone secretion, surgery to remove the tumour, and radiation therapy in some cases.

Overall, while pituitary adenomas are usually benign, they can cause significant health issues and require proper management and treatment to alleviate symptoms and prevent complications.

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