The pituitary gland is a pea-sized endocrine gland located at the base of the brain. The pituitary regulates and controls the secretion of hormones from other endocrine glands, which in turn regulate many body processes. These hormones include the following: - Growth hormone (GH)
- Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
- Adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH)
- Prolactin
About 75% of pituitary tumors secrete hormones. When a tumor produces excessive amounts of one or more hormones, the following conditions may occur: As the tumor grows, destruction of some of the hormone-secreting cells of the pituitary may take place, causing symptoms related to the underproduction of the hormone that is suppressed (hypopituitarism). The causes of pituitary tumors are unknown, although some are a part of a hereditary disorder called multiple endocrine neoplasia I (MEN I). There are other types of tumors that can be found in the same area of the head as a pituitary tumor: About 15% of tumors located within the skull are pituitary tumors. Most pituitary tumors are located in the anterior pituitary lobe and are usually beningn (noncancerous). Pituitary tumors develop in 1 in 10,000 people.
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