Pituitary Tumors

Headaches, nausea, vomiting, hormone imbalance, and weight fluctuations can indicate pituitary tumors. At Coast Neurosurgical Associates in Long Beach, California, the board-certified neurosurgeons diagnose and safely remove pituitary tumors to reduce troublesome symptoms and the risk of complications. Call the office to schedule an appointment, or use the online booking tab today.

What are pituitary tumors?

Pituitary tumors are abnormal growths on the pituitary gland, a pea-sized gland at the base of your brain that produces hormones. Pituitary tumors can affect the body’s production of hormones and may interfere with other body functions. The good news is that though pituitary tumors can lead to medical problems, they are usually not cancerous. 

The cause isn’t known, but pituitary tumors tend to run in families. The Coast Neurosurgical Associates specialists have many years of experience safely treating pituitary tumors.

What are the symptoms of pituitary tumors?

The hallmark symptoms of pituitary tumors include:

• Vision loss
• Headaches
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Body hair loss or increased growth
• Unintentional weight gain or weight loss
• Increased urination
• Upper back or midsection fat accumulation
• Hump in your upper back
• Facial roundness
• High blood sugar
• High blood pressure
• Muscle weakness
• Thinning skin
• Bruising
• Irritability or nervousness 
• Anxiety and depression 
• Coarsened facial features
• Large feet and hands
• Heart problems
• Excessive sweating
• Joint pain
• Misaligned teeth
• Excessive or accelerated growth in children
• Metabolism changes
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Frequent bowel movements
• Feeling warm or hot
• Irregular periods in women
• Infertility
• Reduced sex drive
• Erectile dysfunction (ED) in men

The type of tumor you have determines which symptoms you’ll experience. See your specialist at the first sign of new or unusual symptoms. 

How does my specialist diagnose pituitary tumors?

To determine if you have pituitary tumors, your Coast Neurosurgical Associates provider asks questions about your symptoms and medical history. They complete physical and neurological exams, blood testing, urine testing, an MRI, a CT scan, other imaging procedures, or a biopsy if necessary. 

How are pituitary tumors treated?

Your pituitary tumor treatment plan may consist of:

• Radiation therapy
• Surgery to remove the tumor
• Stereotactic radiosurgery
• Medicines

The Coast Neurosurgical Associates team tailors each treatment to your personalized needs. They may recommend more than one type of treatment to maximize the results. Your provider follows up with you whenever necessary to ensure symptom relief and a better quality of life.

To eliminate pituitary tumors with the help of highly skilled neurosurgeons, schedule a consultation at Coast Neurosurgical Associates by phone or online today.