Pituitary tumors
Pituitary Tumors
Pituitary tumors (pronunciation: pih-TOO-uh-ter-ee TOO-mers) are abnormal growths that develop in the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland is a small, bean-shaped organ situated at the base of the brain, just behind the bridge of the nose. It is responsible for the production of several hormones that regulate a wide range of bodily functions.
Etymology
The term "pituitary" is derived from the Latin word "pituita", meaning phlegm or slime, which was once believed to drip down from the brain into the throat. The term "tumor" comes from the Latin word "tumere", meaning to swell.
Types of Pituitary Tumors
Pituitary tumors are typically classified into two main types: adenomas and carcinomas.
- Adenomas are benign (noncancerous) tumors that make up the majority of pituitary tumors. They are further classified based on their size into microadenomas (smaller than 1 cm) and macroadenomas (larger than 1 cm).
- Carcinomas are malignant (cancerous) pituitary tumors. They are rare and can spread to other parts of the body.
Symptoms
The symptoms of pituitary tumors depend on the type of tumor and the hormones it affects. Common symptoms include headaches, vision problems, unexplained weight gain or loss, and changes in menstrual cycles for women.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of pituitary tumors typically involves a physical examination, medical history, blood tests to check hormone levels, and imaging tests such as MRI or CT scan.
Treatment
Treatment options for pituitary tumors include surgery, radiation therapy, and medication to block excess hormone production or shrink the tumor.
Related Terms
- Endocrinology: The branch of medicine that deals with hormones and their disorders.
- Neurology: The branch of medicine that deals with disorders of the nervous system.
- Oncology: The branch of medicine that deals with tumors, including cancer.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Pituitary tumors
- Wikipedia's article - Pituitary tumors
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski