Although theoretically a tumour could secrete any of these hormones, the common tumours secrete growth hormone (see acromegaly), prolactin (see prolactinoma and hyperprolactinaemia), mixed secretions or no secretion at all.
Once tumours were categorised by their light microscopic appearance but now tumours are more reliably categorised by immunoperoxidase studies.
Blood tests for the hormones are important diagnostic tools.
CT scans, MRI and other imaging techniques are important for determining size (and seriousness of tumours), growth over time and treatment options.
Most tumours are benign but are quite serious because of their position close to important brain structures.
Tumours may be benign, where the cells do not spread from the original site, or malignant (cancerous), where the cells invade and destroy surrounding tissue and may spread to other parts of the brain.
Tumours affecting the whole of the central nervous system (CNS), which is made up of the brain, the spinal cord and a network of nerves throughout the body, are fairly rare.
Signs and symptoms of pituitarytumours are caused either by direct pressure from the tumour itself or by a change in the normal hormone levels.
Pituitarytumours are uncommon with an incidence of between 20-30 per million per year, but they do account for 10% of all clinically significant intra-cranial tumours.
Pituitarytumours often impinge upon nerves that connect the eyes to the brain, detailed assessment of the visual field will also be carried out.
In patient's in whom the tumour is causing symptoms, surgery is usually the main modality of treatment with peri-operative hormonal treatment undertaken in consultation with an endocrinologist.
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