Pituitary Cancer

Introduction: Pituitary Cancer

Most pituitary tumors are benign. However, because the pituitary is an important hormonal gland, this does not mean they are harmless. Even a benign pituitary tumor can have various severe hormonal affects on the body, and cause various secondary diseases such as Cushing's disease or Acromegaly.

Symptoms of Pituitary Cancer

• Headaches
• Vision problems
• Visual disturbances
• Nausea
• Vomiting

See full list of 15 symptoms of Pituitary Cancer

Home Diagnostic Testing

Home medical testing related to Pituitary Cancer:

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• Thyroid: Home Testing:
  • Home Thyroid Function Tests
  • Home TSH Tests
  • Home Adrenal Function Tests

Medical Textbooks Online about Pituitary Cancer

Book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

Diagnostic Tests for Pituitary Cancer

• Blood tests
• Brain CAT scan
• Brain MRI
• Vision tests

Read more about tests for Pituitary Cancer

Wrongly Diagnosed with Pituitary Cancer?

• Misdiagnosis of Pituitary Cancer
• Underlying causes of Pituitary Cancer (possibly wrongly diagnosed)

Misdiagnosis and Pituitary Cancer

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Read more about Misdiagnosis and Pituitary Cancer

Causes of Pituitary Cancer

• Pituitary tumour (growth hormone secreting)
• Prolactin secreting pituitary tumour
• Cushing's disease

Read more about causes of Pituitary Cancer

Read more about causes of Pituitary Cancer.

More information about causes of Pituitary Cancer:

• Pituitary Cancer as a complication caused by other conditions
• Pituitary Cancer as a symptom

Treatments for Pituitary Cancer

• Surgical removal of the tumor - the most common treatment
• Radiation therapy
• Drug therapy
• Hormone supplements - if the tumor has reduced production of any of the various hormones.

Read more about treatments for Pituitary Cancer

Videos for Pituitary Cancer

Patient Surveys for Pituitary Cancer

• Patient Profile Survey
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• Survey about the symptoms of your Pituitary Cancer
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Prognosis for Pituitary Cancer

Prognosis for Pituitary Cancer: Generally good. Most pituitary tumors are benign.

More about prognosis of Pituitary Cancer

Reseach about Pituitary Cancer

Visit our research pages for current research about Pituitary Cancer treatments.

Clinical Trials for Pituitary Cancer

The US based website ClinicalTrials.gov lists information on both federally and privately supported clinical trials using human volunteers.

Some of the clinical trials listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for Pituitary Cancer include:

• Antineoplaston Therapy in Treating Patients With Neuroendocrine Tumor That Is Metastatic or Unlikely to Respond to Surgery or Radiation Therapy - This study is currently recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006) - antineoplaston A10,antineoplaston AS2-1
• Evaluation of Patients With Thyroid Disorders - This study is currently recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006)
• Evaluation of Factors in Human Brain Tumors - This study has been completed (Current: 23 Nov 2006)
• Genetic Investigation of Pediatric Tumors of the Pituitary Gland - This study is currently recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006)
• Sandostatin LAR Depot Vs. Surgery for Treating Acromegaly - This study has been completed (Current: 23 Nov 2006)

See full list of 22 Clinical Trials for Pituitary Cancer

Statistics for Pituitary Cancer

• Medical statistics for Pituitary Cancer
• Prevalence and incidence statistics for Pituitary Cancer
• Death and Mortality statistics for Pituitary Cancer
• Society statistics for Pituitary Cancer

Types of Pituitary Cancer

• Prolactinoma - 40% of pituitary tumors
• Pituitary adenoma (type of Adenoma)
• Corticotropinomas - secretes corticotropin
• Luteinizing hormone (LH) secreting tumors
• Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) secreting tumors

Read more about Types of Pituitary Cancer

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User Interactive Forums

Read about other experiences, ask a question about Pituitary Cancer, or answer someone else's question, on our message boards:

• I can not get a diagnosis. Please help.
• Tell us your medical story.
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• What is the best treatment for this?
• See all the forums.

Article Excerpts about Pituitary Cancer

Pituitary tumors are abnormal growths found in the pituitary gland, a small organ--about the size of a dime and located in the center of the brain--which makes hormones that affect growth and the functions of other glands in the body. (Source: excerpt from NINDS Pituitary Tumors Information Page: NINDS)

Definitions of Pituitary Cancer:

Abnormal growth of the cells that comprise the pituitary gland without specification as to whether the cells are malignant or benign. - (Source - Diseases Database)