Pituitary Tumors are noncancerous tumors that only grow on the pituitary gland, but brain tumor treatment in St James can help. The pituitary gland is a very small organ located in the skull at the base of the brain. Pituitary tumors are very slow growing and do not grow beyond the pituitary gland. However, while it may be small, benign, and slow growing, this doesn’t mean it exists without symptoms.
The Pituitary Gland is one of the most important in the body, in charge of monitoring and regulating many of the body’s functions. It produces multiple important hormones that play a role in the body’s response to stress, sperm/egg production, stimulating growth, and much more. Upon developing a pituitary tumor, all of these bodily functions are affected. If you believe you may be suffering from a Pituitary Tumor and are looking for brain tumor treatment in St James, contact Symeon Missios, MD, for information on how we can help you.
Symptoms of Pituitary Tumors
The growth of a pituitary tumor can lead to many different issues. First, the presence and consistent growth can put pressure on the brain and nerves, leading to symptoms such as headaches, changes in vision, nausea, sinus pain, and even seizures.
The effects of a Pituitary Tumor can stretch far beyond the pressure it puts on the brain. This is due to the importance of the pituitary Gland itself, as a pituitary tumor can greatly affect all of its functions.
The pituitary gland produces many of the body’s important hormones, and pituitary Tumors can severely limit the production of these hormones. When the body isn’t receiving the proper amount of hormones, it can result in symptoms such as fatigue and general weakness, erectile dysfunction, a change in menstrual cycles, nausea, sudden weight changes, and more.
Pituitary tumors can also have the opposite effect, causing an increase in the production of one specific hormone, leading to various consequences on the body’s function depending on what hormone it increases the production of.
An increase in the adrenocorticotropic hormone can lead to weight gain, stretch marks, bruising skin, muscle weakness, slower healing and recovery from injuries, and more.
An increase in growth hormones can lead to changes in facial features, sweating, joint pain, and more.
An increase in prolactinomas can lead to different symptoms in men and women. In men, it can lead to erectile dysfunction, breast growth, and less body hair. In women, it can lead to changes in or lack of menstrual cycles, breast tenderness, and problems with fertility.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and are looking for brain tumor treatment in St James our team can help!
Pituitary Tumor Treatment: Brain Tumor Treatment in St James
Since they are not cancerous and often do not produce any symptoms, most pituitary tumors do not require any kind of treatment. If it is determined that treatment is needed, what form the treatment will take will depend on factors such as your age, health, and the size and location of the tumor itself.
The most common surgery performed to remove a pituitary tumor is endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal surgery, which consists of the neurosurgeon removing the tumor through the nose and sinuses. This surgery does not require an external cut but is only possible if the tumor is on the smaller side.
Transcranial surgery is far less often performed to remove a pituitary tumor, which involves removing the tumor through a cut in the scalp at the top of the skull. This surgery is very uncommon for removing pituitary tumors.
More common and less severe treatment often takes the shape of radiation therapy or medication, which can either be used on their own or in conjunction with surgery or each other.
If you need treatment for a pituitary tumor and are looking for brain tumor treatment in St James, contact Symeon Missios, MD, to see what our highly trained experts can do for you.