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Pituitary Tumour

A pituitary tumour is an abnormal growth of cells in the pituitary gland, located at the base of the skull. Most pituitary tumou​rs are slow-growing and non-cancerous, but may cause excessive production of certain hormones and press on the eye nerve.

 
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About pituitary tumour


The pituitary gland is a small, oval-shaped gland the size of a pea, located at the base of the brain just behind the nose and below the optic nerve (the nerve which connects the eye to the brain). The gland is important because it secretes several chemical messages known as hormones that control a range of functions in the body including:​
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  • ​​Bone growth 
  • Menstruation and breast milk production in women 
  • Kidney function 
  • Thyroid function

    • Pituitary tumours can cause the pituitary gland to release extra hormones or not enough depending on the type of tumour and where it is located within the gland. Excess or not enough hormones affects normal body function and can cause of range of symptoms depending on the hormones that are affected. When enlarged, pituitary tumour may cause visual problems requiring surgery.

    Click here to read more about pituitary tumours on the National Neuroscience Institute’s website, our healthcare partner in Neurosurgery care. ​
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