Pituitary Tumors

Inland Neurosurgery Institute (INI)

Neurological Surgery & Neurointerventional Surgeons located in Pomona, CA & Arcadia, CA

Tumors can disrupt many of the essential functions of hormones controlled by the pituitary gland in your head. If you have symptoms of a pituitary tumor, the highly skilled neurosurgeons at Inland Neurosurgery Institute (INI) in Pomona and Arcadia, California, specialize in performing endoscopic pituitary surgery to remove the growth and restore normal function to your pituitary gland. You can benefit from the superior skills of the Inland Neurosurgery Institute (INI) team by calling their office or requesting a consultation online today.

Pituitary Tumors Q & A

What are pituitary tumors?

service image

Pituitary tumors are abnormal growths affecting the pituitary gland at the base of your brain. This gland is a part of your endocrine system, which is responsible for producing and regulating hormones – chemical messengers that control multiple functions throughout your body.

Pituitary hormones play a vital role in growth and development, immune response, reproduction, metabolism, blood pressure regulation, digestion, breast milk production, and many other functions.

Pituitary tumors are present in around 20% of the population but often cause few or no symptoms. You could have a pituitary tumor and never even know. However, in some people, pituitary tumors have adverse effects that need addressing.

When do pituitary tumors require treatment?

You might need to visit Inland Neurosurgery Institute (INI) for treatment of a pituitary tumor if you begin experiencing problems with pituitary gland function.

When pituitary tumors start causing symptoms, it's likely to be due to the growth pressing on nerves nearby or interfering with the function of hormone-releasing cells in your pituitary gland.

If the pituitary isn't producing enough hormones, which is known as hypopituitarism, it can lead to imbalances that could have wide-ranging effects on your body. Functioning pituitary tumors that interfere with hormone production can cause specific conditions such as acromegaly, Cushing's syndrome, and gigantism.

Most pituitary tumors are benign (noncancerous). However, it's vital that you consult Inland Neurosurgery Institute (INI) for an accurate diagnosis if you develop symptoms of pituitary problems, just in case.

What symptoms do pituitary tumors cause?

Pituitary tumors affect so many different systems and functions that they can cause an almost endless list of symptoms. Some of those most likely to affect you include:

Weight changes
Headaches
Vision problems
Loss of libido
Temperature sensitivity
Menstruation problems
Developmental delays
Digestive upsets

If you're breastfeeding, you might find you can't produce enough milk.

How are pituitary tumors treated?

The treatment your provider at Inland Neurosurgery Institute (INI) recommends for your pituitary tumor depends on the severity of your symptoms and factors such as the size, location, and type of tumor, and your age and general health.

Treatment options include watchful waiting (if the tumor isn't causing any problems), noninvasive stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), and chemotherapy. Inland Neurosurgery Institute (INI) surgeons specialize in endoscopic pituitary surgery (also known as transsphenoidal endoscopic surgery).

This procedure involves putting an endoscope – a thin tube with a built-in microscope, light, and camera – up your nose to reach the pituitary gland. Your surgeon views the images sent from the camera to guide them while using endoscopic instruments to remove the tumor.

If you're experiencing any symptoms of a pituitary tumor, call Inland Neurosurgery Institute (INI) today or request an appointment online.

What we offer