Pituitary Mass Effects - Pathogenesis and Clinical Findings • Pituitary turnors are almost always a benign adenoma. Pituitary adenomas are very common - approximately 1 in 6 individuals. These are usually asymptomatic and are found incidentally. Symptomatic pituitary adenomas that require treatment are much less common and affect approximately I in 1000 individuals. • For pituitary masses of all sizes, it is important to determine whether the pituitary tumor is secreting (70%) or non-secreting (30%) as secreting tumors can be targeted with medication. The most common secreting tumors secrete prolactin (most common), growth hormone, and ACTH. • Typically (but not always) the anterior hormones will be lost in the following order; GH, LH, FSH, TSH, ACTH, PRL. This order (with the exception of prolactin) is the order of least-essential to most essential hormones needed for survival. A good mnemonic to remember the order the hormones are is, "Go Look For The Adenoma Please". Signs / Symptoms / Complications: • Hyperprolactinemia • Diabetes insipidus • Loss of pituitary hormones • Headaches • Nausea and vomiting • Hypothalamic dysfunction • Bitemporal hemianopsia • Hydrocephalus • Diplopia • Post-nasal drip • Meningitis #Pituitary #MassEffects #Macroadenoma #SideEffects #endocrinology #mnemonic #GLFTAP #pathophysiology
