Pituitary Gland Tumor - Introduction
ON THIS PAGE: You will find some basic information about this disease and the parts of the body it may affect. This is the first page of Cancer.Net’s Guide to Pituitary Gland Tumor. Use the menu to see other pages. Think of that menu as a roadmap for this entire guide.
About the pituitary gland
The pituitary gland is a small, pea-sized gland located behind the bridge of the nose and near the brain. It is a part of the endocrine system, which regulates hormones in the body. The pituitary gland is often called the "master endocrine gland," because it releases hormones that control other glands in the body that affect many bodily functions. The pituitary gland is controlled by the hypothalamus, a small structure in the brain.
A pituitary gland has 2 lobes, the anterior (front) and the posterior (back). Each lobe is responsible for releasing specific hormones.
Hormones released by the anterior pituitary lobe
Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) stimulates the thyroid gland, which helps regulate the body’s metabolism.
Adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) controls the hormones released by the adrenal gland, which supports blood pressure, metabolism, and the body's response to stress.
Gonadotropins , a family of hormones that include follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), which stimulate production of sperm in the testicles or eggs in the ovaries. Gonadotropins also regulate the menstrual cycle.
Growth hormone (GH) promotes growth of the long bones in the arms and legs, and thickens the skull and bones of the spine. GH also causes the tissue over the bones to thicken. GH is also responsible for many aspects of metabolism in adults.
Prolactin levels rise when needed to stimulate breast milk production, called lactation, after childbirth.
Lipotropin stimulates the movement of fat from the body to the bloodstream.
Melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH) regulates the production of melanin, the pigment in skin.
Hormones released by the posterior pituitary lobe
Oxytocin stimulates contraction of the uterus during childbirth and the flow of milk during breastfeeding. It may also have added functions related to emotional bonding.
Antidiuretic hormone , also known as vasopressin, increases reabsorption of water by the kidneys and allows a person to stay hydrated.
Types of tumors in the pituitary gland
Cancer begins when healthy cells change and grow out of control, forming a mass called a tumor. A pituitary gland tumor can be cancerous or benign. A cancerous tumor is malignant, meaning it can grow and spread to other parts of the body. A benign tumor means the tumor can grow but will not spread.
Most often, pituitary gland tumors are benign growths called pituitary adenomas. The newest term to describe these lesions is "pituitary neuroendocrine tumor" or Pit-NET. But a pituitary gland tumor can occasionally act like a cancerous tumor by growing into nearby tissue and structures, or rarely, spreading to other parts of the body.
Pituitary gland tumors are not brain tumors. The pituitary gland is located under the brain and is separate from the brain. Pituitary gland tumors are medically classified as "endocrine tumors."
Both benign and cancerous tumors in this gland can create very serious medical problems by interfering with the normal endocrine function of the pituitary gland. In some cases, this is because the tumor starts in cells that make hormones, so the tumor itself can make too many hormones. Pituitary tumors that produce hormones are called "functional tumors."
In other instances, a pituitary tumor can cause the gland to produce too few hormones. Also, if a pituitary tumor presses on nearby structures, such as the nearby optic nerves in the eye, it can limit a person’s vision.
The next section in this guide is Statistics . It helps explain the number of people who are diagnosed with a pituitary gland tumor and general survival rates. Use the menu to choose a different section to read in this guide.
Pituitary Gland Tumor - Statistics
ON THIS PAGE: You will find information about the estimated number of people who will be diagnosed with a pituitary gland tumor each year. You will also read general information on surviving the disease. Remember, survival rates depend on several factors, and no 2 people with a tumor are the same. Use the menu to see other pages.
Every person is different, with different factors influencing their risk of being diagnosed with this tumor and the chance of recovery after a diagnosis. It is important to talk with your doctor about any questions you have around the general statistics provided below and what they may mean for you individually. The original sources for these statistics are provided at the bottom of this page.
How many people are diagnosed with a pituitary gland tumor?
Because the pituitary gland is located next to the brain, this type of tumor is sometimes classified as a “brain tumor” in data collection, including by the World Health Organization.
About 13,900 pituitary gland tumors will be diagnosed in the United States in 2023, making up about 17% of all primary brain tumors. Less than 0.2% of pituitary gland tumors diagnosed this year will be cancerous.
Older adults are more likely to be diagnosed with this type of tumor, but it can occur at any age. When a person aged 15 to 19 has a brain tumor, a pituitary gland tumor is a common subtype diagnosis (more than 33% of brain tumors in this age group). Women are more likely to develop these tumors than men. This type of tumor is also more likely to develop in Black people than White people.
What is the survival rate for a pituitary gland tumor?
There are different types of statistics that can help doctors evaluate a person’s chance of recovery from a pituitary gland tumor. These are called survival statistics. A specific type of survival statistic is called the relative survival rate. It is often used to predict how having a tumor may affect life expectancy. Relative survival rate looks at how likely people with a pituitary gland tumor are to survive for a certain amount of time after their initial diagnosis or start of treatment compared to the expected survival of similar people without this tumor.
Example: Here is an example to help explain what a relative survival rate means. Please note this is only an example and not specific to this type of cancer. Let’s assume that the 5-year relative survival rate for a specific type of cancer is 90%. “Percent” means how many out of 100. Imagine there are 1,000 people without cancer, and based on their age and other characteristics, you expect 900 of the 1,000 to be alive in 5 years. Also imagine there are another 1,000 people similar in age and other characteristics as the first 1,000, but they all have the specific type of cancer that has a 5-year survival rate of 90%. This means it is expected that 810 of the people with the specific cancer (90% of 900) will be alive in 5 years.
It is important to remember that statistics on the survival rates for people with a pituitary gland tumor are only an estimate. They cannot tell an individual person if the tumor will or will not shorten their life. Instead, these statistics describe trends in groups of people previously diagnosed with the same disease, including specific stages of the disease.
The 5-year relative survival rate for all pituitary gland tumors is 97%. For people with cancerous pituitary gland tumors, the 5-year relative survival rate is over 81%.
The survival rates for a pituitary gland tumor vary based on several factors. These include the stage of tumor, a person’s age and general health, and how well the treatment plan works.
Experts measure relative survival rate statistics for a pituitary gland tumor every 5 years. This means the estimate may not reflect the results of advancements in how a pituitary gland tumor is diagnosed or treated from the last 5 years. Talk with your doctor if you have any questions about this information. Learn more about understanding statistics .
Statistics adapted from the American Cancer Society website and the Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States Statistical Report: Primary Brain and Other Central Nervous System Tumors Diagnosed in the United States in 2015–2019 (published October 2022). (All sources accessed March 2023.)
The next section in this guide is Risk Factors . It explains what factors may increase the chance of developing a pituitary gland tumor. Use the menu to choose a different section to read in this guide.
Pituitary Gland Tumor - Risk Factors
ON THIS PAGE: You will find out more about the factors that increase the chance of developing a pituitary gland tumor. Use the menu to see other pages.
A risk factor is anything that increases a person’s chance of developing a tumor. Although risk factors often influence the development of a tumor, most do not directly cause a tumor. Some people with several risk factors never develop a tumor, while others with no known risk factors do. Knowing your risk factors and talking about them with your doctor may help you make more informed lifestyle and health care choices.
There is no evidence that environmental factors play a role in the development of a pituitary gland tumor. The only known risk factors are the 3 hereditary syndromes explained below. Genetic testing is available for these conditions.
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Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1). Families with MEN1 have an increased risk of pituitary gland tumors.
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Carney complex. Like MEN1, the Carney complex is a rare genetic condition that can increase the risk of a pituitary gland tumor.
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Familial acromegaly. Acromegaly is a condition in adults that is caused by too much growth hormone. This disorder is due to a mutation in the AIP gene. Familial acromegaly can occur as part of MEN1, described above, or alone within a family.
The next section in this guide is Symptoms and Signs . It explains what changes or medical problems a pituitary gland tumor can cause. Use the menu to choose a different section to read in this guide.
Pituitary Gland Tumor - Symptoms and Signs
ON THIS PAGE: You will find out more about changes and other things that can signal a problem that may need medical care. Use the menu to see other pages.
People with a pituitary gland tumor may experience the following symptoms or signs. Symptoms are changes that you can feel in your body. Signs are changes in something measured, like by taking your blood pressure or doing a lab test. Together, symptoms and signs can help describe a medical problem. Sometimes, people with a pituitary gland tumor do not have any of the symptoms and signs described below. Or, the cause of a symptom may be a different medical condition that is not a pituitary gland tumor.
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Headaches
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Vision problems
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Unexplained tiredness
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Mood changes
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Irritability
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Unexplained changes in menstrual cycles
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Erectile dysfunction, which is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection and is caused by hormone changes
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Infertility, which is the inability to have children
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Unexpected breast growth or production of breast milk
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Cushing’s syndrome, a combination of weight gain, high blood pressure, diabetes, and easy bruising that is caused by overproduction of the adrenocorticotrophic hormone (see below)
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Acromegaly, the enlargement of the arms or legs and thickening of the skull and jaw caused by too much growth hormone
A pituitary tumor causes symptoms in 3 different ways, which are discussed below.
By producing too much of 1 or more hormones:
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Growth hormone. The symptoms depend on a patient’s age. In children, before the bone plates have closed, increased growth can cause gigantism, which is excessive body size and height. In adults, increased growth hormone causes acromegaly, a syndrome that includes excessive growth of soft tissues and bones, high blood sugar, high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep apnea, increased snoring, carpal tunnel syndrome, and pain, including headaches.
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Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Too much TSH causes increased production of thyroid hormone, called hyperthyroidism. This can lead to nervousness and irritability, fast heart rate and high blood pressure, heart disease, increased sweating, thin skin, and weight loss.
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Prolactin. Too much prolactin, a hormone that stimulates lactation and the secretion of progesterone, causes unexpected secretion of breast milk. It can also cause osteoporosis, which is weakening of the bones; loss of sex drive; infertility; irregular menstrual cycles; and the inability to have an erection.
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Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). Too much of this hormone causes weight gain, particularly in the body’s torso or trunk. It can also cause high blood pressure, high blood sugar, brittle bones, emotional changes, stretch marks on the skin, and easy bruising.
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Gonadotropins. Usually, the gonadotropins follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone are not high enough to cause symptoms but can, in rare cases, cause infertility and irregular menstrual cycles. Some men may have higher testosterone levels.
By pressing on the pituitary gland, causing it to make too little of 1 or more hormones:
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Growth hormone. Not enough growth hormone causes late growth in children, poor muscle strength, irritability, weakening of bone strength, and an overall unwell feeling. Adults have fatigue, weight gain, loss of muscle mass and strength, difficulty exercising, brain fog, and are at a higher risk for osteoporosis and cardiovascular disorders.
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TSH. Low TSH causes fatigue, low energy, sensitivity to cold temperatures, constipation, and weight gain.
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Prolactin. Too little prolactin causes an inability to breastfeed.
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ACTH. Too little of this hormone causes fatigue and low energy, low blood pressure, low blood sugar, and upset stomach.
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Gonadotropins. Low levels of gonadotropins cause infertility, decrease in sex drive, an inability to have an erection, and irregular menstrual cycles.
By pressing on the optic nerves or, less commonly, the nerves controlling eye movements, and causing either loss of part or all of a person’s sight, or double vision.
If you are concerned about any changes you experience, please talk with your doctor. Your doctor will ask how long and how often you have been experiencing the symptom(s), in addition to other questions. This is to help figure out the cause of the problem, called a diagnosis.
If a pituitary gland tumor is diagnosed, relieving symptoms remains an important part of care and treatment. Managing symptoms may also be called " palliative care " or "supportive care." It is often started soon after diagnosis and continued throughout treatment. Be sure to talk with your health care team about the symptoms you experience, including any new symptoms or a change in symptoms.
The next section in this guide is Diagnosis . It explains what tests may be needed to learn more about the cause of the symptoms. Use the menu to choose a different section to read in this guide.
Pituitary Gland Tumor - Diagnosis
ON THIS PAGE: You will find a list of common tests, procedures, and scans that doctors use to find the cause of a medical problem. Use the menu to see other pages.
Doctors use many tests to find, or diagnose, a tumor and learn if it is cancerous. They also do tests to learn if cancer has spread to another part of the body from where it started. If the cancer has spread, it is called metastasis. Doctors may also do tests to learn which treatments could work best.
For most types of tumors, a biopsy is the only sure way for the doctor to know what type it is. In a biopsy, the doctor takes a small sample of tissue for testing in a laboratory. If a biopsy is not possible, the doctor may suggest other tests that will help make a diagnosis.
How a pituitary gland tumor is diagnosed
There are many tests used for diagnosing a pituitary gland tumor. Not all tests described here will be used for every person. Your doctor may consider these factors when choosing a diagnostic test:
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The type of a tumor suspected
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Your signs and symptoms
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Your age and general health
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The results of earlier medical tests
In addition to a physical examination, the following tests may be used to diagnose a pituitary gland tumor.
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Neurological examination. An evaluation of the central nervous system that may include testing a person’s reflexes, motor and sensory skills, balance and coordination, and mental status.
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Laboratory tests. A blood test may be recommended so the doctor can measure the amounts of certain hormones in the blood. These tests may need to be repeated several times so the doctor can understand how hormones are produced over time, or to confirm that hormone levels are consistently abnormal. Sometimes a person may be given a drug or hormone before the blood measurements are done; this is called provocative testing.
If Cushing's disease, which is described in Signs and Symptoms , is suspected, samples of saliva may be collected as well as one or more 24-hour urine samples. That means all urine produced in a 24-hour period is saved and sent for analysis of cortisol levels. If acromegaly is suspected, a diagnosis can be confirmed by a measurement of serum GH and IGF-1 levels. Prolactin-producing tumors are confirmed by measurement of the serum prolactin level. TSH-producing tumors are recognized using thyroid function tests.
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Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An MRI uses magnetic fields, not x-rays, to produce detailed images of the body. MRI can be used to measure the tumor’s size. A special dye called gadolinium is given before the scan to create a clearer picture. This dye can be injected into a patient’s vein or given as a pill or liquid to swallow. MRI is better than a computed tomography scan, which is described below, to diagnose most pituitary gland tumors. As a result, MRI is now the standard diagnostic test.
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Computed tomography (CT or CAT) scan . A CT scan takes pictures of the inside of the body using x-rays taken from different angles. A computer combines these images into a detailed 3-dimensional image that shows any abnormalities or tumors. A CT scan can be used to measure the tumor’s size. Sometimes, a special dye called a contrast medium is given before the scan to provide better detail on the image. This dye can be injected into a patient’s vein or given as a pill or liquid to swallow.
A CT scan is usually used only for patients who have a pacemaker or an aneurysm clip, which may prevent them from having an MRI, which is described above.
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Visual field exam . There are optic nerves above the pituitary gland. A large pituitary gland tumor may press on those nearby nerves. In this test, the patient is asked to find points of light on a screen, using each eye separately. The most common visual field problem caused by a pituitary gland tumor is loss of the ability to see objects along the edge of the person’s field of vision.
It is important to remember that other diseases can also cause vision loss. That is why it is important for the doctor to consider all possible causes carefully before coming to a conclusion about the reason for a vision problem.
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Biopsy . A biopsy is the removal of a small amount of tissue for examination under a microscope. Other tests can suggest that a tumor is present, but only a biopsy can make a definite diagnosis. The sample removed during the biopsy is analyzed by a pathologist. A pathologist is a doctor who specializes in interpreting laboratory tests and evaluating cells, tissues, and organs to diagnose disease.
The biopsy is usually done as part of the surgery to remove the pituitary tumor (see Types of Treatment ). A tissue sample from the pituitary gland tumor should be checked by the pathologist for production of each of the hormones mentioned in the Introduction section, with the exception of lipotropin and melanocyte stimulating hormone, to correctly classify the tumor. Biopsies can also determine the type of cells composing the tumor, even if they are not secreting hormones in excess. Then, the pathologist can make some reasonable estimates about the potential growth or aggressiveness of this type of tumor.
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Lumbar puncture (spinal tap). A lumbar puncture is a procedure in which a needle is used to take a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to look for tumor cells, blood, or tumor markers. Tumor markers are substances found in higher than normal amounts in the blood, urine, or body tissues of people with certain kinds of tumors. CSF is the fluid that flows around the brain and the spinal cord. Doctors generally give an anesthetic to numb the lower back before the procedure. This test is only rarely needed to help diagnose a pituitary abnormality.
After diagnostic tests are done, your doctor will review the results with you. If the diagnosis is a tumor, these results also help the doctor describe the tumor; this is called staging.
The next section in this guide is Stages . It explains the system doctors use to describe the extent of the disease. Use the menu to choose a different section to read in this guide.
Pituitary Gland Tumor - Stages
ON THIS PAGE: You will learn about how doctors usually describe a tumor’s growth or spread, called the stage, and how this differs for a pituitary gland tumor. Use the menu to see other pages.
What is staging?
Staging is a way of describing where a tumor is located, if or where it has spread, and whether it is affecting other parts of the body.
Doctors use diagnostic tests to find out the tumor’s stage, so staging may not be complete until all of the tests are finished. Knowing the stage helps the doctor recommend the best kind of treatment and can help predict a patient’s prognosis, which is the chance of recovery. There are different stage descriptions for different types of tumors. Whether benign or cancerous, pituitary gland tumors are not staged in the same way as many other types of tumors. They are measured and classified differently by the doctor.
Because a pituitary gland tumor is most commonly benign and called a pituitary adenoma, it is usually classified according to its size on an MRI. This imaging test is described in the Diagnosis section.
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A microadenoma is small, meaning it is 10 millimeters (mm) or less at its widest point.
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A macroadenoma is larger and can extend outside the sella turcica, the bony structure around the pituitary gland. A macroadenoma is larger than 10 mm at its widest point.
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A giant adenoma is larger than 4 centimeters (cm).
Other factors considered when classifying a pituitary gland tumor include whether the tumor is functional, meaning, what, if any, hormone(s) it makes, and whether it has grown into nearby structures.
The medical name for the structure that this tumor most commonly grows into is the cavernous sinus. This area near the pituitary gland contains the carotid artery and several important nerves that control eye movement.
Information about the pituitary tumor’s classification will help the doctor recommend a specific treatment plan. The next section in this guide is Types of Treatment . Use the menu to choose a different section to read in this guide.
Pituitary Gland Tumor - Types of Treatment
ON THIS PAGE: You will learn about the different types of treatments doctors use for people with a pituitary gland tumor. Use the menu to see other pages.
This section explains the types of treatments, also known as therapies, that are the standard of care for pituitary gland tumor. “Standard of care” means the best treatments known. When making treatment plan decisions, you are encouraged to discuss with your doctor whether clinical trials are an option. A clinical trial is a research study that tests a new approach to treatment. Doctors learn through clinical trials whether a new treatment is safe, effective, and possibly better than the standard treatment. Clinical trials can test a new drug, a new combination of standard treatments, or new doses of standard drugs or other treatments. Clinical trials are an option for all types of tumors. Your doctor can help you consider all your treatment options. Learn more about clinical trials in the About Clinical Trials and Latest Research sections of this guide.
How a pituitary gland tumor is treated
For a pituitary gland tumor, different types of doctors often work together to create a patient’s overall treatment plan that combines different types of treatments. This is called a multidisciplinary team . Health care teams may include a variety of other health care professionals, such as physician assistants, nurse practitioners, oncology nurses, social workers, pharmacists, counselors, dietitians, and others.
Any person with a pituitary tumor should be seen by an endocrinologist, which is a doctor who specializes in problems with glands, hormones, and the endocrine system. In addition, patients should be examined by a neurosurgeon, a specialist who operates on the head, brain, and central nervous system. Patients with vision problems will also need to visit an ophthalmologist, a doctor who specializes in the treatment and diagnosis of eye problems.
Treatment options and recommendations depend on several factors, including:
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The type and classification of the tumor
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Possible side effects
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The patient's preferences and overall health
Take time to learn about all of your treatment options and be sure to ask questions about things that are unclear. Talk with your doctor about the goals of each treatment and what you can expect while receiving the treatment. These types of talks are called "shared decision-making." Shared decision-making is when you and your doctors work together to choose treatments that fit the goals of your care. Shared decision-making is particularly important for pituitary gland tumors because there are different treatment options.
Learn more about making treatment decisions .
The common types of treatments used for a pituitary gland tumor are described below. Your care plan may also include treatment for symptoms and side effects, an important part of medical care.
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Active surveillance
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Surgery
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Radiation therapy
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Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
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Drug therapy
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Physical, emotional, and social effects of a tumor
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Aggressive pituitary gland tumor
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Remission and the chance of recurrence
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If treatment does not work
Active surveillance
Active surveillance is an option for some people with a pituitary gland tumor who have no symptoms from the tumor and whose hormones are working normally. This approach can also be called watchful waiting. During active surveillance, the patient is monitored closely with periodic examinations and tests to watch for signs of tumor growth or progression. This may include regular MRI scans of the brain and the pituitary gland. Active treatment would begin only if the tumor started causing symptoms.
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Surgery
Surgery is the removal of the tumor and some surrounding healthy tissue during an operation. It is the most common treatment for a pituitary gland tumor. Surgery is performed by a neurosurgeon. Surgery is often successful in removing the entire tumor.
About 95% of surgeries to remove a pituitary gland tumor are done by the transsphenoidal route. That means going through the nasal passage and along the septum that separates the 2 nostrils. Then the neurosurgeon follows the sphenoid sinus cavity located deep above the back of the throat to the pituitary gland immediately behind it. Another surgical approach is making a temporary opening in the skull called a craniotomy to reach the area. This can be done using a microscope or an endoscope , which is a long flexible tube, or both, so the neurosurgeon can see the tumor.
Both of these methods are equally safe and effective when done by a skilled surgeon. Best outcomes and fewer complications have been seen with more experienced surgeons. Before surgery, talk with your health care team about possible side effects from the specific surgery you will have, how they can be managed, and what to expect during your recovery.
Learn more about the basics of surgery for a tumor .
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Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy x-rays or other particles to destroy tumor cells. A doctor who specializes in giving radiation therapy to treat a tumor is called a radiation oncologist.
The most common type of radiation treatment is called external-beam radiation therapy, which is radiation given from a machine outside the body. A radiation therapy regimen, or schedule, which is your treatment plan, usually consists of a specific number of treatments given over a set period.
For a pituitary gland tumor, radiation therapy can be delivered with either photons, protons, or gamma rays. Each of these treatments can be effective. The specific type that is recommended depends on the specific situation.
If the entire tumor is removed using surgery, then radiation therapy is not needed. For some patients, stereotactic radiation therapy is used when any part of the pituitary gland tumor is left after surgery. This kind of radiation therapy delivers a high dose of radiation directly to the tumor.
Not all patients with part of a tumor remaining after surgery need radiation therapy. That is because some benign pituitary gland tumors do not grow back even when some of the tumor is left behind after surgery.
Side effects from radiation therapy may include fatigue, mild skin reactions, upset stomach, and loose bowel movements. Most of these side effects go away soon after treatment is finished. In the long term, radiation therapy may cause short-term memory or cognitive changes , meaning the thought process is affected. It can also cause the pituitary gland to gradually lose the ability to make hormones for the body after treatment ends. If this occurs, hormone replacement therapy (see below) may be needed. Talk with your doctor about what to expect based on your specific radiation treatment and how side effects will be managed.
Learn more about the basics of radiation therapy .
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Therapies using medication
For pituitary gland tumors, treatments using medication are based on the body's hormones affected by the tumor and its treatment. Medication may be given through the bloodstream. When a drug is given this way, it is called systemic therapy.
This treatment is generally prescribed by an endocrinologist or a medical oncologist, a doctor who specializes in treating tumors with medication.
Medications are often given through an intravenous (IV) tube placed into a vein using a needle or as a pill or capsule that is swallowed (orally). If you are given oral medications, be sure to ask your health care team about how to safely store and handle them.
The types of medications used for pituitary gland tumor include:
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Hormone replacement therapy
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Drug therapy
Each of these types of therapies is discussed below in more detail. A person may receive 1 type of medication at a time or a combination of medications given at the same time. They can also be given as part of a treatment plan that includes surgery and/or radiation therapy.
The medications used to treat people with a pituitary tumor are continually being evaluated. Talking with your doctor is often the best way to learn about the medications prescribed for you, their purpose, and their potential side effects or interactions with other medications.
It is also important to let your doctor know if you are taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medications or supplements. Herbs, supplements, and other drugs can interact with medications, causing unwanted side effects or reduced effectiveness. Learn more about your prescriptions by using
searchable drug databases
.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
HRT is often necessary for people with a pituitary tumor when the gland is not making enough of a hormone due to the disease. This means the patient is given a replacement, often as a pill, to take regularly. This may include replacement of:
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Thyroid hormones
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Adrenal hormones
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Growth hormone
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Testosterone
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Estrogen
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Progesterone
HRT is one type of a treatment approach called hormone therapy. Learn more about the basics of hormone therapy in cancer care.
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Drug therapy
If a pituitary tumor is overproducing a hormone, there are medications that can help. The drugs bromocriptine (available as a generic drug) and cabergoline (available as a generic) are used to treat tumors that secrete prolactin. Octreotide (available as a generic) or pegvisomant (Somavert) can be used to treat tumors that make growth hormone. Octreotide can also be used to treat pituitary tumors that secrete thyroid-stimulating hormone. A number of drugs, including ketoconazole (available as a generic drug), levoketoconazole (Recorlev), osilodrostat (Isturisa), and pasireotide (Signifor) can be used to treat Cushing's disease.
The medications used to treat pituitary tumors are continually being evaluated. Talking with your doctor is often the best way to learn about the medications you have been prescribed, their purpose, and their potential side effects or interactions with other medications.
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Physical, emotional, and social effects of a tumor
A pituitary gland tumor and its treatment cause physical symptoms and side effects, as well as emotional, social, and financial effects. Managing all of these effects is called palliative care or supportive care. It is an important part of your care that is included along with treatments intended to slow, stop, or eliminate the tumor.
Palliative care focuses on improving how you feel during treatment by managing symptoms and supporting patients and their families with other, non-medical needs. Any person, regardless of age or type and classification of tumor, may receive this type of care. And it often works best when it is started right after the diagnosis. People who receive palliative care along with treatment for the tumor often have less severe symptoms, better quality of life, and report that they are more satisfied with treatment.
Palliative treatments vary widely and often include medication, nutritional changes, relaxation techniques, emotional and spiritual support, and other therapies. You may also receive palliative treatments similar to those meant to get rid of the tumor, such as medications, surgery, or radiation therapy.
Before treatment begins, talk with your doctor about the goals of each treatment in the recommended treatment plan. You should also talk about the possible side effects of the specific treatment plan and palliative care options. Many patients also benefit from talking with a social worker and participating in support groups. Ask your doctor about these resources, too.
During treatment, your health care team may ask you to answer questions about your symptoms and side effects and to describe each problem. Be sure to tell the health care team if you are experiencing a problem. This helps the health care team treat any symptoms and side effects as quickly as possible. It can also help prevent more serious problems in the future.
Learn more about the importance of tracking side effects in another part of this guide. Learn more about palliative care in a separate section of this website.
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Aggressive pituitary gland tumor
If a pituitary gland tumor spreads to another part in the body from where it started, doctors call it a metastatic cancerous tumor. If this happens, it is a good idea to talk with doctors who have experience in treating it. Doctors can have different opinions about the best standard treatment plan. Also, clinical trials might be an option. Learn more about getting a second opinion before starting treatment, so you are comfortable with your chosen treatment plan.
If a tumor grows quickly in the pituitary gland and spreads into nearby structures, it is called a locally invasive tumor. Both metastatic and locally invasive tumors can be aggressive, growing and spreading quickly. They are more likely to need treatment with radiation therapy than a noncancerous pituitary adenoma. However, many pituitary tumors do not grow quickly even when they are invasive, which is different from most other types of tumors.
Your treatment plan may include a combination of surgery and radiation therapy. Palliative care will also be important to help relieve symptoms and side effects.
For many people, a diagnosis of an aggressive pituitary gland tumor is very stressful and difficult. You and your family are encouraged to talk about the way they are feeling with doctors, nurses, social workers, or other members of your health care team. It may also be helpful to talk with other patients, such as through a support group or other peer support program.
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Remission and the chance of recurrence
A remission is when the tumor cannot be detected in the body and there are no symptoms. This may also be called having “no evidence of disease” or NED.
A remission may be temporary or permanent. This uncertainty causes many people to worry that the tumor will come back. While many remissions are permanent, it is important to talk with your doctor about the possibility of the tumor returning. Understanding your risk of recurrence and the treatment options may help you feel more prepared if the tumor does return. Learn more about coping with the fear of recurrence .
If the tumor returns after the original treatment, it is called a recurrent tumor. It may come back in the same place (called a local recurrence), nearby (regional recurrence), or in another place (distant recurrence), which is rare. If there is a recurrence, the tumor may need to be evaluated again (called re-staging) using the system described in the Staging section.
If a recurrence happens, a new cycle of testing will begin again to learn as much as possible about it. After this testing is done, you and your doctor will talk about the treatment options. Often the treatment plan will include the treatments described above, such as surgery and radiation therapy. But they may be used in a different combination or given at a different pace. Your doctor may suggest clinical trials that are studying new ways to treat a recurrent pituitary gland tumor.
Whichever treatment plan you choose, palliative care will be important for relieving symptoms and side effects.
People with a recurrent tumor sometimes experience emotions such as disbelief or fear. You are encouraged to talk with your health care team about these feelings and ask about support services to help you cope. Learn more about dealing with a recurrence .
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If treatment does not work
Recovery from a pituitary gland tumor is not always possible. If the tumor cannot be cured or controlled, the disease may be called advanced or terminal.
This diagnosis is stressful, and for some people, an advanced tumor is difficult to discuss. However, it is important to have open and honest conversations with your doctor and health care team to express your feelings, preferences, and concerns. The health care team has special skills, experience, and knowledge to support patients and their families and is there to help. Making sure a person is physically comfortable, free from pain, and emotionally supported is extremely important.
People who have an advanced tumor and who are expected to live less than 6 months may want to consider hospice care. Hospice care is designed to provide the best possible quality of life for people who are near the end of life.
You and your family are encouraged to talk with the health care team about hospice care options, which include hospice care at home, a special hospice center, or other health care locations. Nursing care and special equipment can make staying at home a workable option for many families. Learn more about advanced care planning .
After the death of a loved one, many people need support to help them cope with the loss. Learn more about grief and loss .
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The next section in this guide is About Clinical Trials . It offers more information about research studies that are focused on finding better ways to care for people with a pituitary gland tumor. Use the menu to choose a different section to read in this guide.
Pituitary Gland Tumor - About Clinical Trials
ON THIS PAGE : You will learn more about clinical trials, which are the main way that new medical approaches are studied to see how well they work. Use the menu to see other pages.
What are clinical trials?
Doctors and scientists are always looking for better ways to care for people with a pituitary gland tumor. To make scientific advances, doctors create research studies involving volunteers, called clinical trials. Every drug that is now approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was tested in clinical trials.
Clinical trials are used for all types and stages of a pituitary gland tumor. Many focus on new treatments to learn if a new treatment is safe, effective, and possibly better than the existing treatments. These types of studies evaluate new drugs, different combinations of existing treatments, new approaches to radiation therapy or surgery, and new methods of treatment. People who participate in clinical trials can be some of the first to get a treatment before it is available to the public. However, there are some risks with a clinical trial, including possible side effects and that the chance that the new treatment may not work. People are encouraged to talk with their health care team about the pros and cons of joining a specific study.
Some clinical trials study new ways to relieve symptoms and side effects during treatment. Others study ways to manage the late effects that may happen a long time after treatment. Talk with your doctor about clinical trials for symptoms and side effects.
Deciding to join a clinical trial
People decide to participate in clinical trials for many reasons. For some, a clinical trial is the best treatment option available. Because standard treatments are not perfect, patients are often willing to face the added uncertainty of a clinical trial in the hope of a better result.
Others volunteer for clinical trials because they know that these studies are a way to contribute to the progress in treating a pituitary gland tumor. Even if they do not benefit directly from the clinical trial, their participation may benefit future people with a pituitary gland tumor.
Insurance coverage and the costs of clinical trials differ by location and by study. In some programs, some of the expenses from participating in the clinical trial are reimbursed. In others, they are not. It is important to first talk with the clinical trial team and your insurance company to learn if and how your treatment in a clinical trial will be covered. Learn more about health insurance coverage of clinical trials .
Sometimes people have concerns that, in a clinical trial, they may receive no treatment by being given a placebo or a “sugar pill.” When used, placebos are usually combined with standard treatment in most cancer clinical trials. Study participants will always be told when a placebo is used in a study. Find out more about placebos in cancer clinical trials.
Patient safety and informed consent
To join a clinical trial, people must participate in a process known as informed consent. During informed consent, the doctor should:
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Describe all of the treatment options so that the person understands how the new treatment differs from the standard treatment.
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List all of the risks of the new treatment, which may or may not be different from the risks of standard treatment.
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Explain what will be required of each person in order to participate in the clinical trial, including the number of doctor visits, tests, and the schedule of treatment.
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Describe the purposes of the clinical trial and what researchers are trying to learn.
Clinical trials also have certain rules called “eligibility criteria” that help structure the research and keep patients safe. You and the research team will carefully review these criteria together. You will need to meet all of the eligibility criteria in order to participate in a clinical trial. Learn more about eligibility criteria in clinical trials.
People who participate in a clinical trial may stop participating at any time for personal or medical reasons. This may include that the new treatment is not working or there are serious side effects.
Clinical trials are also closely monitored by experts who watch for any problems with each study. It is important that people participating in a clinical trial talk with their doctor and researchers about who will be providing their treatment and care during the clinical trial, after the clinical trial ends, and/or if they choose to leave the clinical trial before it ends.
Finding a clinical trial
Research through clinical trials is ongoing for all types of tumors. For specific topics being studied for pituitary gland tumors, learn more in the Latest Research section.
Cancer.Net offers more information about clinical trials in other areas of the website, including a complete section on clinical trials and places to search for clinical trials for a specific type of tumor .
In addition, you can find a free video-based educational program about clinical trials in another section of this website.
The next section in this guide is Latest Research . It explains areas of scientific research for pituitary gland tumors. Use the menu to choose a different section to read in this guide.
Pituitary Gland Tumor - Latest Research
ON THIS PAGE : You will read about the scientific research being done to learn more about pituitary gland tumors and how to treat them. Use the menu to see other pages.
Doctors are working to learn more about pituitary gland tumors, ways to prevent them, how to best treat them, and how to provide the best care to people diagnosed with them. The following areas of research may include new options for patients through clinical trials. Always talk with your doctor about the best diagnostic and treatment options for you.
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Risk factors and genetics. Researchers are looking into how and why pituitary gland tumors develop, as well as the genetics of pituitary gland tumors in the hope of finding new methods of treatment. Learn more about the basics of the role of genetics in tumor development.
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Surgical advances. Better methods of surgery to remove pituitary gland tumors are being studied. Due to advancements in this field, surgery is now used even for large tumors and tumors that have grown into nearby structures. However, a pituitary gland tumor that has grown into the cavernous sinus cannot usually be removed completely with surgery. The patient may need further treatment, such as medications or radiation therapy. Research on surgical methods is ongoing.
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New drugs. Targeted therapy is a medication treatment that targets the specific genes, proteins, or the tissue environment that contributes to a tumor growth and survival. This type of treatment blocks the growth and spread of tumor cells while limiting damage to healthy cells. Immunotherapy , also called biologic therapy, is another type of medication treatment designed to boost the body's natural defenses to fight the tumor. It uses materials made either by the body or in a laboratory to improve, target, or restore immune system function. For pituitary gland tumors, some of the drugs researchers are currently exploring in clinical trials include nivolumab (Opdivo) and ipilimumab (Yervoy).
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Palliative care/supportive care. Clinical trials are underway to find better ways of reducing symptoms and side effects of current pituitary gland tumor treatments to improve comfort and quality of life for patients.
Looking for More About the Latest Research?
If you would like more information about the latest areas of research in pituitary gland tumors, explore this related item that takes you outside of this guide:
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To find clinical trials specific to your diagnosis, talk with your doctor or search online clinical trial databases .
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Visit the website of Conquer Cancer, the ASCO Foundation to find out how to help support cancer research. Please note that this link takes you to a different ASCO website.
The next section in this guide is Coping with Treatment. It offers some guidance in how to cope with the physical, emotional, social, and financial changes that a tumor and its treatment can bring. Use the menu to choose a different section to read in this guide.
Pituitary Gland Tumor - Coping with Treatment
ON THIS PAGE : You will learn more about coping with the physical, emotional, social, and financial effects of a pituitary gland tumor and its treatment. Use the menu to see other pages.
Every treatment can cause side effects or changes to your body and how you feel. For many reasons, people do not experience the same side effects even when they are given the same treatment for the same type of tumor. This can make it hard to predict how you will feel during treatment.
As you prepare to start treatment, it is normal to fear treatment-related side effects . It may help to know that your health care team will work to prevent and relieve side effects. This part of treatment is called palliative care or supportive care. It is an important part of your treatment plan, regardless of your age or the stage of disease.
Coping with physical side effects
Common physical side effects from each treatment option for a pituitary gland tumor are described within the Types of Treatment section. Learn more about side effects of this disease and its treatment, along with ways to prevent or control them . Changes to your physical health depend on several factors, including the tumor’s size, the length and dose of treatment, and your general health.
Talk with your health care team regularly about how you are feeling. It is important to let them know about any new side effects or changes in existing side effects. If they know how you are feeling, they can find ways to relieve or manage your side effects to help you feel more comfortable and potentially keep any side effects from worsening.
You may find it helpful to keep track of your side effects so it is easier to talk about any changes with your health care team. Learn more about why tracking side effects is helpful .
Sometimes, side effects can last after treatment ends. Doctors call these long-term side effects. Side effects that occur months or years after treatment are called late effects . Treating long-term side effects and late effects is an important part of survivorship care. Learn more by reading the Follow-up Care section of this guide or talking with your doctor.
Coping with emotional and social effects
You can have emotional and social effects after a diagnosis. This may include dealing with a variety of emotions, such as sadness, anxiety, anger, or managing your stress level. Sometimes, people find it difficult to express how they feel to their loved ones. Some have found that talking to an oncology social worker, counselor, or member of the clergy can help them develop more effective ways of coping and talking about the diagnosis.
Sometimes patients with a pituitary gland tumor have cognitive changes or experience depression. Talk with your health care team if you experience any of these changes. You can also find coping strategies for emotional and social effects in a separate section of this website. This section includes many resources for finding support and information to meet your needs.
Coping with the costs of medical care
Treatment can be expensive. It may be a source of stress and anxiety for patients and their families. In addition to treatment costs, many people find they have extra, unplanned expenses related to their care. For some people, the high cost of medical care stops them from following or completing their treatment plan. This can put their health at risk and may lead to higher costs in the future. Patients and their families are encouraged to talk about financial concerns with a member of their health care team. Learn more about managing financial considerations in a separate part of this website.
Coping with barriers to care
Some groups of people experience different rates of new cancer cases and experience different outcomes from their diagnosis. These differences are called "health disparities." Disparities are caused in part by real-world barriers to quality medical care and social determinants of health , such as where a person lives and whether they have access to food and health care. Health disparities more often negatively affect racial and ethnic minorities , people with fewer financial resources , sexual and gender minorities (LGBTQ+) , adolescent and young adult populations , older adults , and people who live in rural areas or other underserved communities .
If you are having difficulty getting the care you need, talk with a member of your health care team or explore other resources that help support medically underserved people .
Talking with your health care team about side effects
Before starting treatment, talk with your doctor about possible side effects. Ask:
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Which side effects are most likely?
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When are they likely to happen?
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What can we do to prevent or relieve them?
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When and who should we call about side effects?
Be sure to tell your health care team about any side effects that happen during treatment and afterward, too. Tell them even if you do not think the side effects are serious. This discussion should include physical, emotional, social, and financial effects.
Caring for a loved one
Family members and friends often play an important role in taking care of a person with a pituitary gland tumor. This is called being a caregiver. Caregivers can provide physical, practical, and emotional support to the patient, even if they live far away. Being a caregiver can also be stressful and emotionally challenging. one of the most important tasks for caregivers is caring for themselves .
Caregivers may have a range of responsibilities on a daily or as-needed basis, including:
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Providing support and encouragement
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Talking with the health care team
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Giving medications
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Helping manage symptoms and side effects
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Coordinating medical appointments
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Providing a ride to and from appointments
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Assisting with meals
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Helping with household chores
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Handling insurance and billing issues
A caregiving plan can help caregivers stay organized and help identify opportunities to delegate tasks to others. It may be helpful to ask the health care team how much care will be needed at home and with daily tasks during and after treatment. Use this 1-page fact sheet to help make a caregiving action plan. This free fact sheet is available as a PDF, so it is easy to print.
Learn more about caregiving or read the ASCO Answers Guide to Caring for a Loved One With Cancer in English or Spanish .
Looking for More on How to Track Side Effects?
Cancer.Net offers several resources to help you keep track of your symptoms and side effects. Please note that these links will take you to other sections of Cancer.Net:
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Cancer.Net Mobile: The free Cancer.Net mobile app allows you to securely record the time and severity of symptoms and side effects.
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ASCO Answers Managing Pain: Get this 32-page booklet about the importance of pain relief that includes a pain tracking sheet to help patients record how pain affects them. The free booklet is available as a PDF, so it is easy to print.
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ASCO Answers Fact Sheets: Read 1-page fact sheets on anxiety and depression , constipation , diarrhea , and rash that provide a tracking sheet to record the timing and severity of the side effect. These free fact sheets are available as a PDF, so they are easy to print, fill out, and give to your health care team.
The next section in this guide is Follow-up Care . It explains the importance of checkups after you finish treatment. Use the menu to choose a different section to read in this guide.
Pituitary Gland Tumor - Follow-Up Care
ON THIS PAGE: You will read about your medical care after treatment for the tumor is completed and why this follow-up care is important. Use the menu to see other pages.
Care for people diagnosed with a pituitary gland tumor does not end when active treatment has finished. Your health care team will continue to check that the tumor has not come back, manage any side effects, and monitor your overall health. This is called follow-up care.
Your follow-up care may include regular physical examinations, medical tests, or both. Doctors want to keep track of your recovery in the months and years ahead. Once surgery to remove a pituitary gland tumor is done, the patient is usually monitored by both an endocrinologist and a neurosurgeon. Follow-up care for a pituitary gland tumor may include regular tests to measure hormone levels and MRI scans, usually done yearly, to learn how well treatment worked. Talk with your doctor about any new changes or symptoms you experience. Some people experience mood and personality changes because the hormone levels are not quite correct.
Side effects depend on a variety of factors, including the tumor’s size, the length and dosage of treatment(s), and your overall health. Specifically, treatment of a pituitary gland tumor can cause:
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Fatigue. Fatigue is extreme exhaustion or tiredness. It is the most common problem that people with a pituitary tumor experience. Patients who feel fatigue often say that even a small effort, such as walking across a room, can seem like too much. A pituitary gland tumor may cause fatigue if it lowers levels of cortisol, thyroid hormone, or growth hormone. High levels of cortisol can weaken muscles, which may also cause fatigue.
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Gastrointestinal upset. Patients being treated with medicines such as bromocriptine or cabergoline for a prolactin-secreting pituitary tumor known as prolactinoma may have gastrointestinal upset. This may sometimes limit the patient’s ability to take a particular medication.
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Gallstones. People being treated for too much growth hormone may develop gallstones, which are rock-like formations of cholesterol and bile salts in the gallbladder or bile duct. Therefore, people receiving this treatment must be monitored for gallstones throughout the treatment.
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Vision problems. Changes in eyesight are a common side effect. If vision worsens, it may be possible that a tumor is growing again. For this reason, it is important to get eye exams done regularly.
Rehabilitation may be recommended, and this could mean any of a wide range of services, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, career counseling, pain management, nutritional planning, and/or emotional counseling. The goal of rehabilitation is to help people regain control over many aspects of their lives and remain as independent as possible. Learn more about this type of rehabilitation.
Learn more about the importance of follow-up care .
Watching for recurrence
One goal of follow-up care is to check for a recurrence, which means that the tumor has come back. A tumor recurs because small areas of tumor cells may remain undetected in the body. Over time, these cells may increase in number until they show up on test results or cause signs or symptoms.
During follow-up care, a doctor familiar with your medical history can give you personalized information about your risk of recurrence. Your doctor will ask specific questions about your health. Some people may have blood tests or imaging tests done as part of regular follow-up care, but testing recommendations depend on several factors, including the type of tumor first diagnosed and the types of treatment given.
As most pituitary tumors are noncancerous, these tumors do not usually spread to other parts of the body. However, most people treated for a pituitary tumor need regular follow-up tests to make sure that the tumor has not come back.
In addition, patients may be at risk for developing other types of tumors. For example, patients with too much growth hormone have a higher risk of developing colon cancer or thyroid cancer , but only if the tumor was not completely removed during surgery and growth hormone levels are still high. People with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1 syndrome) or Carney complex need regular screening for the other tumors associated with those conditions.
The anticipation before having a follow-up test or waiting for test results may add stress to you or a family member. This is sometimes called “scanxiety.” Learn more about how to cope with this type of stress .
Managing long-term and late side effects
Most people expect to have side effects when receiving treatment. However, it is often surprising to survivors that some side effects may linger beyond the treatment period. These are called long-term side effects. Other side effects called late effects may develop months or even years after treatment has ended. Long-term and late effects can include both physical and emotional changes.
People with changes to their vision may need specialized care after the treatment for the tumor. Studies show that people with Cushing's disease are most affected after treatment, mostly because they are also most affected before treatment, meaning recovery often takes longer. Some people with too much prolactin or growth hormone may also be significantly affected.
Radiation therapy can have late effects, in particular decreasing hormone production from the pituitary gland. These late effects can take 5 to 7 years to develop, but they do not occur in all patients. Testing should be done every year after radiation therapy ends to detect hormone deficiencies as soon as possible. This is so treatment can begin right away. Talk with your doctor about the symptoms or signs to watch for during your long-term recovery.
Talk with your doctor about your risk of developing such side effects based on your diagnosis, your individual treatment plan, and your overall health. If you had a treatment known to cause specific late effects, you may have certain physical examinations, scans, or blood tests to help find and manage them.
Keeping personal health records
You and your doctor should work together to develop a personalized follow-up care plan. Be sure to discuss any concerns you have about your future physical or emotional health. ASCO offers forms to help keep track of the treatment you received and develop a survivorship care plan when treatment is completed.
This is also a good time to talk with your doctor about who will lead your follow-up care. Some survivors continue to see their specialist, while others transition back to the care of their primary care doctor or another health care professional. This decision depends on several factors, including the type of tumor, side effects, health insurance rules, and your personal preferences.
If a doctor who was not directly involved in your pituitary gland treatment will lead your follow-up care, be sure to share your treatment summary and survivorship care plan forms with them, and with all future health care providers. Details about your treatment are very valuable to the health care professionals who will care for you throughout your lifetime.
The next section in this guide is Survivorship . It describes how to cope with challenges in everyday life after a diagnosis. Use the menu to choose a different section to read in this guide.
Pituitary Gland Tumor - Survivorship
ON THIS PAGE: You will read about how to cope with challenges in everyday life after this diagnosis. Use the menu to see other pages.
What is survivorship?
The word “survivorship” is complicated because it means different things to different people. Common definitions include:
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Having no signs of a tumor after finishing treatment.
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Living with, through, and beyond this diagnosis. According to this definition, survivorship begins at diagnosis and continues during treatment and through the rest of a person's life.
For some, even the term "survivorship" does not feel right, and they prefer to use different language to describe and define their experience. Sometimes extended treatment will be used for months or years to manage or control the tumor. Living with this diagnosis indefinitely is not easy, and the health care team can help you manage the challenges that come with it . Everyone has to find their own path to name and navigate the changes and challenges that are the results of their diagnosis and treatment.
Survivors may experience a mixture of feelings, including joy, concern, relief, guilt, and fear. Some people say they appreciate life more after a diagnosis and have gained a greater acceptance of themselves. Others become very anxious about their health and uncertain about coping with everyday life. Feelings of fear and anxiety may still occur as time passes, but these emotions should not be a constant part of your daily life. If they persist, be sure to talk with a member of your health care team.
Survivors may feel some stress when their frequent visits to the health care team end after completing treatment. Often, relationships built with the medical team provide a sense of security during treatment, and people miss this source of support. This may be especially true when new worries and challenges surface over time, such as any late effects of treatment, emotional challenges including fear of recurrence, sexual health and fertility concerns, and financial and workplace issues.
Every survivor has individual concerns and challenges. With any challenge, a good first step is being able to recognize your fears and talk about them. Effective coping requires:
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Understanding the challenge you are facing
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Thinking through solutions
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Asking for and allowing the support of others
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Feeling comfortable with the course of action you choose
Many survivors find it helpful to join an in-person support group or an online community of survivors. This allows you to talk with people who have had similar first-hand experiences. Other options for finding support include talking with a friend or member of your health care team, individual counseling, or asking for assistance at the learning resource center of the place where you received treatment.
A new perspective on your health
For many people, survivorship serves as a strong motivator to make lifestyle changes.
People recovering from a pituitary gland tumor are encouraged to follow established guidelines for good health, such as not smoking, limiting alcohol, eating well, exercising regularly, and managing stress. Regular physical activity can help rebuild your strength and energy level. Your health care team can help you create an appropriate exercise plan based upon your needs, physical abilities, and fitness level. Learn more about making healthy lifestyle choices .
It is important to have recommended medical checkups and tests (see Follow-up Care ) to take care of your health.
Talk with your health care team to develop a survivorship care plan that is best for your needs.
Changing role of caregivers
Family members and friends may also go through periods of transition during this time. A caregiver plays a very important role in supporting the patient, providing physical, emotional, and practical care on a daily or as-needed basis. Many caregivers become focused on providing this support, especially if the treatment period lasts for many months or longer.
However, as treatment is completed, the caregiver's role often changes. Eventually, the need for caregiving related to the diagnosis will become much less or come to an end. Caregivers can learn more about adjusting to life after caregiving .
Looking for More Survivorship Resources?
For more information about survivorship, explore these related items. Please note that these links will take you to other sections of Cancer.Net:
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ASCO Answers Guide to Cancer Survivorship : Get this 48-page booklet that helps people transition into life after treatment. It includes blank treatment summary and survivorship care plan forms. The free booklet is available as a PDF, so it is easy to print.
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Survivorship Resources : Cancer.Net offers information and resources to help survivors cope, including specific sections for children , teens and young adults , and people over age 65 . There is also a main section on survivorship for people of all ages.
The next section offers Questions to Ask the Health Care Team to help start conversations with your health care team. Use the menu to choose a different section to read in this guide.
Pituitary Gland Tumor - Questions to Ask the Health Care Team
ON THIS PAGE: You will find some questions to ask your doctor or other members of the health care team, to help you better understand your diagnosis, treatment plan, and overall care. Use the menu to see other pages.
Talking often with the health care team is important to make informed decisions about your health care. These suggested questions are a starting point to help you learn more about your care and treatment. You are also encouraged to ask additional questions that are important to you.
You may want to print this list and bring it to your next appointment, or download Cancer.Net’s free mobile app for a digital list and other interactive tools to manage your care. It may also be helpful to ask a family member or friend to come with you to appointments to help take notes.
Questions to ask after getting a diagnosis
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Is my tumor cancerous?
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Is the tumor still making hormones? What does this mean?
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Can you explain my pathology report, or laboratory test results, to me?
Questions to ask about choosing a treatment and managing side effects
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How many people with this type of tumor do you treat each year?
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What clinical trials are available for me? Where are they located, and how do I find out more about them?
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What treatment plan do you recommend? Why?
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Should I get a second opinion?
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What is the goal of each treatment? Is it to eliminate the tumor, help me feel better, or both?
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What are the possible side effects of each treatment, both in the short term and the long term?
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Who will be part of my health care team, and what does each member do?
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Who will be leading my overall treatment?
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Are you willing to follow my case if I have my treatments provided in another center?
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How will this treatment affect my daily life? Will I be able to work, exercise, and perform my usual activities?
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Could this treatment affect my sex life? If so, how and for how long?
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Could this treatment affect my ability to become pregnant or have children? If so, should I talk with a fertility specialist before treatment begins?
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If I am worried about managing the costs of medical care, who can help me?
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What support services are available to me? To my family?
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If I have questions or problems, who should I call?
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Do you have reading material that would help me understand my disease?
Questions to ask about having surgery
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What type of surgery will I have? Will lymph nodes be removed?
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How experienced is the surgeon with this specific type of surgery?
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How long will the operation take?
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How long will I be in the hospital?
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Can you describe what my recovery from surgery will be like?
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Who should I contact about any side effects I experience? And how soon?
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What are the possible long-term effects of having this surgery?
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How successful is surgery to remove this type of tumor?
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Do you recommend additional treatment after surgery?
Questions to ask about having radiation therapy, medication, or other treatment
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What type of treatment is recommended?
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What is the goal of this treatment?
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How long will it take to give this treatment?
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What side effects can I expect during treatment?
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Who should I contact about any side effects I experience? And how soon?
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What are the possible long-term or late effects of having this treatment?
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What can be done to prevent or relieve the side effects?
Questions to ask about planning follow-up care
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What is the risk of the tumor returning?
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What long-term side effects or late effects are possible based on the treatment I received?
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What follow-up tests will I need, and how often will those tests be needed?
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How do I get a treatment summary and survivorship care plan to keep in my personal records?
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Who will be leading my follow-up care?
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What survivorship support services are available to me? To my family?
The next section in this guide is Additional Resources . It offers more resources on this website that may be helpful to you. Use the menu to choose a different section to read in this guide.
Pituitary Gland Tumor - Additional Resources
ON THIS PAGE: You will find some helpful links to other areas of Cancer.Net that provide information about medical care and treatment. This is the final page of Cancer.Net’s Guide to Pituitary Gland Tumor. To go back and review other pages, use the menu.
Cancer.Net includes many other sections about the medical and emotional aspects of a pituitary gland tumor for the person diagnosed and their family members and friends. This website is meant to be a resource for you and your loved ones from the time of diagnosis, through treatment, and beyond.
Here are a few links to help you explore other parts of Cancer.Net:
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Search for a specialist in your local area using this free database of doctors from the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
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Learn what medical phrases and terms used in medical care and treatment mean.
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Read more about the first steps to take when you are diagnosed with a tumor .
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Find out more about clinical trials as a treatment option.
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Get information about managing the financial costs of medical care.
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Learn more about coping with the emotions that a serious diagnosis can bring, including those within a family or a relationship.
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Find a national, not-for-profit advocacy organization that may offer additional information, services, and support for people with this type of tumor.
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Explore what to do when you finish active treatment .
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Download Cancer.Net Mobile , a free app that includes a symptom and side effect tracker, medication reminders, and other interactive resources.
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To find a range of information and insights from different voices on timely topics, visit the Cancer.Net Blog .
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Watch Cancer.Net videos with ASCO experts explaining the basics of cancer treatment, side effects, survivorship, clinical trials, caregiving, and more.
This is the end of Cancer.Net’s Guide to Pituitary Gland Tumor. Use the menu to choose a different section to read in this guide.
