Brain Tumour Types Info Sheet
Pituitary Adenomas
Overview:
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Information Sheets or to
learn more about other
brain tumour topics,
visit www.BrainTumour.ca
Tumour Group:
Non-Malignant Brain Tumours
WHO Grade:
Grade I or II
Prevalence/Incidence:
Brain Tumour Foundation
of Canada Information
Sheets are provided as
an informational and
educational tool and are
not intended to replace
the advice or instruction of
a professional healthcare
practitioner, or to substitute
for medical care. We urge
you to seek specific medical
advice on individual matters
of concern.
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that help is available for
anyone affected by a
brain tumour, including
patients, survivors and their
loved ones.
Pituitary adenomas are low-grade, slow-growing masses that represent
about 10% of primary brain tumours, making them the third most common
primary brain tumour in adults.
Typical Age Range:
They can occur at any age, but they are more common in older people.
Women are more affected than men, particularly during childbearing years.
Description of Tumour:
The pituitary gland is a bean-sized organ located in the midline at the base
of the brain, behind the bridge of the nose, in a bony pouch called the
“stella turcica.” The pituitary itself is known as the “master gland” because
it helps to control other glands and organs in the body. The pituitary gland is
involved in the production of several essential hormones.
Pituitary adenomas occur in the pituitary glad, which secretes several crucial
hormones including corticotrophin, thyroid stimulating hormone, growth
hormon, prolactin, gonadotropins and anti-diuretic hormone.
Stimulation from the hypothalamus may contribute to the growth of a
pituitary adenoma.
While certain pituitary tumours secrete abnormally high amounts of one or
more of these hormones and cause related symptoms, other are hormonally
inactive and do not secrete hormones. Both types of tumours can grow and
compress the surrounding tissue, such as the brain and optic nerves.
Most pituitary adenomas grow in the front two-thirds of the pituitary gland.
These tumours are classified as “secreting” and “non-secreting.” A secreting
tumour produces excessive amounts of hormones. Most pituitary tumours
fall into this category; they are further classified by the type(s) of hormones
they produce.
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Additional support,
information and
education offered
by Brain Tumour
Foundation of Canada:
Adult, Pediatric and
Non-Malignant Brain
Tumour Handbooks
available in English
and French.
“A Friend in Hope”
children’s storybook
available in English and
French.
20+ Adult Support Groups
across Canada
(in-person and virtual)
Toll-free information and
support line
Symptoms:
Common symptoms include, but are not necessarily limited to:
• Abnormal growth of hands and feet
• Abnormal hair growth pattern in women
• Abnormal weight gain
• Behavioural and cognitive changes
• Cessation of menstrual periods (amenorrhea)
• Depression
• Impotence in men
• Morning nausea or vomiting
• Vision loss
Treatment/Standard of Care:
• For the great majority of patients with symptomatic endocrine-inactive adenomas surgery is the preferred therapy (trans-sphenoidal surgery is
preferred to minimize the morbidty assoicated with an open craniotomy when possible)
• For recurrent pituitary endocrine-inactive adenomas radiation may be used as either radiosurgery (single fraction) or fractionated daily radiotherapy (using stereotactic techniques), or when significant residual tumour is observed
where critical structure are compromised and further surgery not indicated.
• For hormone-secreting pituiary adenomas surgery may be curative (steroid producing adenomas), or endocrine therapy alone
BrainWAVE Pediatric
Support Program
Treatment options depend on the following:
Print BrainStorm Newsletter
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• E-BrainStorm
• Peace of Mind
• The type and size of the tumour
• Whether the tumour is making hormones
• Whether the tumour is causing problems with vision or other symptoms
• Whether the tumour has spread into the brain around the pituitary gland or to
other parts of the body
• Whether the tumour has just been diagnosed or has recurred
“Grey Matters” Blog
Prognosis:
Pituitary adenomas that are considered Grade I tend to have the most
favourable survival rates compared to other higher grade brain tumours.
For more details, please refer to braintumour.ca.
All patient resources are
available free-of-charge
in Canada. Call 1-800265-5106 or visit www.
BrainTumour.ca for
additional details and
information.
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