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Causes could include:
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The most common cause of Cushing syndrome is side effects from taking anti-inflammatory steroid medications for conditions such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis.The second most common cause is Cushing's disease, which occurs when the pituitary g...
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Such conditions include rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, vasculitis, lupus, and a variety of other autoimmune disorders in which the body's immune cells accidentally attack some part of the body itself. In these disorders, the glucocorticoids are use...
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The function of cortisol is to regulate blood pressure, act as an anti-inflammatory mediator, and to regulate insulin metabolism. Cortisol plays a role during the metabolic activities associated with fat, protein, and carbohydrate metabolism.
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Such conditions include rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, vasculitis, lupus, and a variety of other autoimmune disorders in which the body's immune cells accidentally attack some part of the body itself. In these disorders, the glucocorticoids are use...
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Pheochromocytoma is a rare tumor of the adrenal gland that causes too much release of epinephrine and norepinephrine-- hormones that regulate heart rate and blood pressure.Pheochromocytoma may occur as a single tumor or as more than one growth. It...
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Pheochromocytoma is a tumor of special cells(called chromaffin cells), most often found in the middle of the adrenal gland.Because pheochromocytomas arise from chromaffin cells, they are occasionally called chromaffin tumors. Most(90%) are benign ...
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Detailed information on adrenal gland tumors and pheochromocytoma, including symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
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Expert-reviewed information summary about the treatment of pheochromocytoma.Pheochromocytoma is a rare disease in which tumors form in chromaffin cells of the body. Most pheochromocytomas start inside the adrenal gland (the adrenal medulla) where most chromaffin cells are located. There are two adrenal glands, one above each kidney in the back of the upper abdomen. Cells in the adrenal glands make important hormones that help the body work properly. Usually pheochromocytoma affects only one adrenal gland. Pheochromocytoma may also start in other parts of the body, such as the area around the heart or bladder.
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Detailed information on pheochromocytoma, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
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Pheochromocytoma is a tumor of special cells(called chromaffin cells), most often found in the middle of the adrenal gland.Because pheochromocytomas arise from chromaffin cells, they are occasionally called chromaffin tumors. Most(90%) are benign ...
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Corticosteroids are a group of related drugs used in cancer treatment to reduce the growth of tumors, stimulate the appetite, and treat skin rashes, nausea and vomiting, allergic reactions, inflammation, accumulation of fluid in the brain, and aut...
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While suppression is seen primarily with drugs administered systemically, it can also occur with topical drugs such as creams and ointments, or drugs administered by inhalation. Abrupt cessation of corticosteroids may result in acute adrenal crisi...
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While suppression is seen primarily with drugs administered systemically, it can also occur with topical drugs such as creams and ointments, or drugs administered by inhalation. Abrupt cessation of corticosteroids may result in acute adrenal crisi...
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Corticosteroids are a group of natural and synthetic analogs(chemical cousins) of the hormones secreted by the pituitary gland, also known as the hypothalamic-anterior pituitary-adrenocortical(HPA) axis. These analogs include glucocorticoids, whic...
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A pituitary tumor is an abnormal growth in the pituitary gland, the part of the brain that regulates the body''s balance of hormones.The pituitary gland is a pea-sized endocrine gland located at the base of the brain. The pituitary regulates and co...
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Pituitary tumors are abnormal growths in the pituitary gland.Located in the brain, the pituitary gland is often referred to as the"master gland" of the body. This is because it makes and releases(secretes) at least nine distinct hormones(including...
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Expert-reviewed information summary about the treatment of pituitary tumors.Pituitary tumors are tumors found in the pituitary gland, a small organ about the size of a pea in the center of the brain just above the back of the nose. The pituitary gland makes hormones that affect growth and the functions of other glands in the body. Pituitary tumors may be grouped as follows:
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Detailed information on pituitary gland tumors, including symptoms, causes, types, diagnosis, and treatment
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Pituitary tumors rarely spread outside of the skull. In fact, they rarely even spread to nearby tissues in the skull. Usually they grow in their own location and may eventually invade the optic nerves, which affect vision, then nearby parts of the brain. In most instances the symptoms, bring people to a doctor before the tumor spreads.
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Certain factors can make one person more likely to get a pituitary tumor than another person. These are called risk factors. In some cancers, doctors have identified risk factors that can be avoided, such as smoking or sun exposure. With pituitary tumors, doctors are not sure what exactly causes pituitary tumors and only one risk factor has been identified. Most people who get a pituitary tumor have no known risk factors.
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There are no standard screening methods used to find pituitary tumors. If a person has MEN1, they should discuss screening with their doctor. For members of a family with the MEN1 syndrome, blood testing may be recommended to look for pituitary hormone levels. These blood tests raise the chances of finding a tumor early so it can be treated.
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Any person who is suspected to have a pituitary tumor should have a complete medical evaluation. This includes a completely personal and family medical history. The doctor will find out if anyone in the person's family has had a pituitary tumor, kidney stones, stomach ulcers, low blood sugar, or adrenal gland tumors. The doctor will also do a physical exam including visual testing. These exams will help the doctor decide whether or not to do further testing.
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With some kinds of small pituitary tumors, it is possible to use medication to stop the tumor from growing. Sometimes, it is possible to avoid surgery altogether and only be treated with medication. Medications are used to treat pituitary adenomas that secrete prolactin. The medicines commonly used are bromocriptine (Parlodel), octreotide (Sandostatin) and cabergoline (Dostinex). Although the medicine cannot destroy the tumor completely, they can control its hormone production and often can make it smaller.
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Because there are no avoidable risk factors for pituitary tumors, there is no known way at this time, to prevent them from happening. If a person has the known risk factor, they should talk with their doctor.
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People with a benign or cancerous pituitary tumor may have any or all of the following symptoms. These could also be the sign of other problems. A person who has them should see their doctor.
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Pituitary tumors are abnormal growths on the pituitary gland. Some tumors secrete hormones normally made by the pituitary gland.Located in the center of the brain, the pituitary gland manufactures and secretes hormones that regulate growth, sexual...
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Researchers are always finding new treatments for pituitary tumors and improving current treatments. Pituitary tumors are almost never fatal.
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According to the American Cancer Society, each year there are roughly 2,000 pituitary tumors diagnosed in the United States. Most are adenomas and are not cancerous. Pituitary tumors are very rarely fatal.
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Cushing’s disease is a condition in which the pituitary gland releases too much adrenocorticotropic hormone(ATCH). The pituitary gland is an organ of the endocrine system.
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