What is a Pituitary Tumour?
Pituitary tumours (adenomas) are growths in the pituitary gland – the “master gland” at the base of the brain that controls other hormonal glands. They are among the most common intracranial tumours. Most are benign, but they can cause serious problems through hormone overproduction or compression of nearby structures. Dr Simranjeet Singh at Dashvanth Healthcare Delhi provides expert pituitary tumour management.
Types
Functioning Pituitary Adenomas
- Prolactinoma: Excess prolactin – most common (infertility, galactorrhoea)
- Somatotroph Adenoma (Acromegaly/Gigantism): Excess growth hormone
- Corticotroph Adenoma (Cushing’s Disease): Excess ACTH/cortisol
- Thyrotroph Adenoma: Excess TSH (rare)
Non-Functioning Pituitary Adenomas
Cause problems by mass effect – compressing the optic chiasm (bitemporal hemianopia/visual field defects) and causing hypopituitarism.
Symptoms
- Visual field defects (bitemporal hemianopia)
- Headaches
- Hormone excess symptoms (Cushing’s features, acromegaly features, galactorrhoea)
- Hypopituitarism: fatigue, infertility, hypothyroidism symptoms
- Pituitary apoplexy: sudden onset headache, vision loss, hormonal crisis
Diagnosis
MRI pituitary with contrast (dedicated sequences), Full pituitary hormonal profile, visual field testing (perimetry), ophthalmology assessment.
Treatment
Medical Treatment
- Prolactinoma: Dopamine agonists (cabergoline, bromocriptine) – often curative
- Acromegaly: Somatostatin analogues (octreotide, lanreotide)
Surgery: Transsphenoidal Adenomectomy
Most pituitary tumours are removed through the nose and sphenoid sinus (endoscopic transsphenoidal approach) – no external incision, minimal recovery time. Dr Simranjeet Singh performs this minimally invasive procedure.
Radiotherapy
For residual or recurrent tumour. Stereotactic radiosurgery (Gamma Knife) for small residual tumours.
Expert pituitary tumour treatment at Dashvanth Healthcare Delhi: 011-41670042
