Quite often, during the examination, doctors find in the patient a pituitary microadenoma. This is a benign small tumor, the size of which does not exceed 10 millimeters. Nevertheless, it can be dangerous, as it is often prone to rapid growth. So why does an adenoma arise and what complications can a similar pathology entail?
What is a dangerous pituitary tumor?
It's no secret that the pituitary gland is one of the most important endocrine glands, forming the hypothalamic-pituitary system. It is here, in the brain, that hormones are produced that control the work of the entire endocrine system and, accordingly, affect the state of the body.
In particular, the pituitary gland secretes hormones that regulate the thyroid gland, adrenal glands, mammary glands, and reproductive system. In addition, somatotropin is formed here - a substance responsible for the growth processes in the body.
It is worth noting that more than half of the pituitary tumors affect the secretion of hormonal substances. That is why it is so important to detect the pituitary microadenoma, because its growth can provoke severe hormonal disruptions. In addition, an increase in the size of the tumor leads to compression of neighboring parts of the brain, which also affects the state of the body.
Causes of microadenoma formation
This issue is still being investigated, and it is far from always possible to find out the cause of the appearance of a neoplasm. Nevertheless, it has been proven that there is a genetic predisposition. In addition, statistics indicate that the pituitary microadenoma is most often found in women. The fact is that between the hypothalamic-pituitary system and other glands there is a mutual connection. Violation of the secretion of sex hormones, which is observed during pregnancy, breastfeeding, after abortion and as a result of the use of hormonal contraception, may well affect the functioning and structure of the pituitary gland. Risk factors also include head injuries and inflammatory diseases of the brain.
The main symptoms of the pituitary microadenoma
In fact, such neoplasms rarely manifest themselves with any symptoms. Quite often, they are discovered quite by accident, for example, during an MRI. Due to its small size, the pituitary microadenoma does not exert pressure on neighboring parts of the brain, therefore, there are no characteristic signs such as headaches and visual impairment.
On the other hand, secreting tumors affect the functioning of the whole organism. For example, the formation of prolactinoma leads to disruption of the menstrual cycle, cessation of egg maturation, the appearance of breast milk, and in men, to impotence. Somatotropinoma provokes the development of acromegaly. Patients who have discovered a pituitary microadenoma secreting corticotropins suffer from Cushing's syndrome.
Pituitary microadenoma: how to treat?
It is immediately worth noting that, first of all, it is necessary to undergo a series of studies that will confirm that the neoplasm is really benign, and will make it clear whether it affects the synthesis of hormones. Only a doctor can decide which therapy will give in to the pituitary microadenoma. The operation is performed only in cases where the tumor affects the growth of the body or enhances the secretion of corticotropins. Prolactinoma is almost always amenable to drug treatment with hormones. If microadenoma does not grow and does not affect the hormonal background, then, perhaps, specific treatment will not be needed - you just need to be regularly observed by a doctor.