Microadenoma of the pituitary gland - causes and signs of microadenoma of the pituitary gland

Pituitary microadenoma can be of two types - hormonally active (can produce hormones) and hormonally inactive (cannot produce hormones).

In turn, hormonally active tumors are subdivided depending on the type of hormone secreted:

• somatotropic adenoma - produces growth hormone;
• prolactin adenoma - produces prolactin;

• corticotropic adenoma - produces corticotropic hormone, which in turn is responsible for the synthesis of hormones of the adrenal cortex;
• thyroid stimulating adenoma - produces thyroid stimulating hormone, which stimulates the production of thyroid hormone - thyroxine;
• gonadotropic adenoma – produces gonadotropic hormone, which regulates the work of the sex glands.

Causes

To date, the exact cause of pituitary microadenoma is not yet known, but there are risk factors that can cause its development, these are:

• open and closed craniocerebral injuries;
• acute and chronic infectious diseases of the nervous system;
• disorders of hormonal regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary system;
• taking hormonal drugs;
• adverse effects on the fetus during gestation.

Symptoms

The symptoms of pituitary microadenoma depend on its type and the type of hormone secreted.

With microadenoma, the most pronounced symptoms are visual impairment.

The following symptoms are also encountered:

• visual impairment, which can manifest itself in the form of deterioration of vision, narrowing or loss of visual fields;
• dull headaches, which can be localized in the eye area and are not relieved by painkillers;
• sometimes there may be hormonal disorders, which depend on the type of tumor and are manifested by a decrease or increase in the production of a particular hormone.

If any of the above symptoms appear, a consultation with an endocrinologist is necessary, since untimely tumor diagnosis can lead to its active growth and deterioration of the patient's condition.

Diagnostics

Diagnostics of the disease is carried out by an endocrinologist.

The main methods of diagnosing pituitary microadenoma include:

• objective examination of the patient and analysis of complaints;
• ophthalmological examination;
• determination of the level of hormones produced by the pituitary gland: somatropic, prolactin, corticotropic, gonadotropic and thyroid-stimulating hormone;
• radiography of the sella turcica;
• MRI of the brain.

To conduct a high-quality and complete diagnosis, you must make an appointment with an endocrinologist, undergo a consultation and get a referral for certain types of examination.

Treatment

Treatment of pituitary microadenoma in most cases does not require its surgical removal. In this case, doctors tend to wait and see and regularly monitor the activity of the tumor.

Also, treatment of microadenoma may include:

• radiation therapy for hormonally inactive forms of the tumor;
• drug correction of the level of hormones produced by the pituitary gland;
• in case of tumor enlargement and growth, it is surgically removed.

Prevention

There is no specific prevention to prevent the development of the disease.

Preventive measures that can prevent the progression of the disease include:

• correction of hormonal disorders;
• timely consultation with a doctor when symptoms of the disease appear;
• timely treatment and prevention infectious diseases of the nervous system;
• active treatment and compliance with the doctor's recommendations for a diagnosed tumor.