Pituitary tumor

A tumor in the small gland under the brain that controls hormones.

What a pituitary tumor is

The pituitary is a small gland that sits under the brain, behind your eyes. It makes hormones that tell other glands what to do.

A tumor here is almost always not cancer. You may see the names pituitary adenoma or PitNET.

Why symptoms vary so much

Two different things can cause trouble, and which one you have shapes everything.

Some of these tumors make extra hormones. Then symptoms come from the hormone: changes in weight, periods, energy, or growth.

Some press on what is nearby. The nerves for eyesight run right above the gland, so pressure there can change your vision, often at the outer edges.

Blood tests and an eye check are common early steps for that reason.

What to ask your team

• Is my tumor making a hormone, and which one?
• Has my vision been checked?
• Is treatment medicine, surgery, or watching?