What are the symptoms of pituitary tumors? What causes pituitary tumors?

Pituitary tumors are a group of tumors that arise from the anterior and posterior pituitary and residual cells of the craniopharyngeal epithelium. About 10% of intracranial tumors have obvious clinical symptoms. Males are slightly more likely to have pituitary tumors than females. Pituitary tumors usually occur in young and middle-aged adults, often affecting the patient's growth, development, reproductive function, learning and working ability. Clinical manifestations include abnormal hormone secretion syndromes, syndromes of tumor compression of surrounding pituitary tissues, pituitary stroke and other manifestations of anterior pituitary dysfunction. The majority of this group of tumors are adenomas in the anterior lobe, and those from the posterior lobe are rare. According to incomplete statistics, PRL tumors are the most common, accounting for about 50-55%, followed by GH tumors at 20-23%, ACTH tumors at 5-8%, and TSH tumors and LH/FSH tumors are less common. Non-functional pituitary adenomas account for 20-25%.

1. Hormone secretion abnormalities: Hormone secretion excess, such as acromegaly caused by excessive growth hormone; Hormone deficiency. When a non-functional tumor grows and normal pituitary tissue is damaged, the secretion of gonadotropin decreases, and amenorrhea, infertility or impotence often occur first and are the most common.

2. Symptoms of tumor compressing the tissues around the pituitary gland: Neurofibromatosis headache, which is a persistent headache; patients with optic nerve, optic chiasm and optic nerve bundle compression experience decreased vision, visual field defects and fundus changes; other compression syndromes.

Hypothalamic regulatory dysfunction (35%):

Hypothalamic polypeptide hormones promote the proliferation of pituitary cells. For example, after the GHRH gene is transplanted, it can cause the proliferation of rat GH cells and then develop into a true pituitary tumor. The lack of inhibitory factors can also promote tumorigenesis. For example, ACTH adenoma can occur in patients with primary adrenal cortex insufficiency.

Defects in pituitary cells themselves (25%):

Pituitary adenoma originates from a mutated cell, followed by monoclonal expansion or cell replication caused by self-mutation. The intervention of external precipitating factors or the lack of inhibitory factors: ① Defects in the expression of DA (dopamine) receptor genes. ② The role of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes: Oncogenes are actually a type of genes involved in the regulation of normal cell growth. Some oncogene products are growth factors and their receptors, while others are involved in the transmission of growth signals in cells. Abnormal expression of these genes can lead to abnormal cell proliferation.

Generally, it is preventive care after surgery, as follows:

1. Psychological comfort: Pituitary tumors are benign tumors in the brain. Surgery is effective and you can return to normal work after recovery.

2. Improve nutrition, eat more fresh, high-protein foods, strengthen your physical fitness, and help your body recover soon after illness.

3. Radiotherapy usually lasts about one month after surgery. During radiotherapy, avoid going to public places, pay attention to nutrition, and measure blood counts regularly.

4. Take medication as prescribed by your doctor and have a CT scan once a year.

The treatment of pituitary tumors mainly includes surgery, drugs and radiotherapy. The treatment of pituitary tumors is generally based on the patient's own disease condition, whether there is a desire to have children and other specific conditions. Comprehensive treatment has achieved the greatest therapeutic effect.

1. Surgery: It is the main treatment method, while radiotherapy, chemotherapy and drug therapy are auxiliary.

2. Radiotherapy: Suitable for those who cannot tolerate surgery and are insensitive to drugs

3. Drug treatment: eliminate tumors and reduce tumor recurrence

should:

1. It is advisable to eat foods rich in vitamin A, carotene and vitamin B2;

2. Eat foods high in phospholipids to improve brain function;

3. Eat fruits, vegetables and fiber foods;

4. Eat foods that protect your eyes

avoid:

1. Avoid greasy food;

2. Avoid fried foods;

3. Avoid high-salt, high-fat foods, spicy, fried, deep-fried, strong alcohol and other indigestible and irritating foods.