Enhancing Quality of Life through Pituitary Cancer Care
Pituitary cancer, also called metastatic pituitary neuroendocrine tumours (mPitNETs), occurs when tumours in the pituitary gland become cancerous and spread to other parts of the body. The pituitary gland makes hormones that control many crucial body functions. When a pituitary gland develops metastatic tumours (mPitNETs), hormone production gets disrupted in two main ways:
- Too much hormone: The tumour might overproduce certain hormones, leading to symptoms like acromegaly (excess growth hormone) or Cushing's disease (excess ACTH).
- Too little hormone: The tumour can press on healthy pituitary tissue, reducing hormone production and causing fatigue, weight changes, and fertility issues.
These hormonal imbalances and the tumour pressing on surrounding structures cause the various symptoms experienced with mPitNETs.
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What happens in mPitNETs (metastatic pituitary neuroendocrine tumours):
mPitNETs start as tumours in the pituitary gland, a pea-sized structure at the base of the brain. Generally, the pituitary makes hormones that control various body functions. In emptiness, these tumours become cancerous and spread, disrupting hormone production in two ways:
- Hormonal imbalances: The tumour might overproduce certain hormones, causing issues like excess growth hormone or ACTH (leading to Cushing's disease).
- Pressure on the gland: The tumour can press on healthy pituitary tissue, reducing hormone production and causing various symptoms.
These disruptions in hormone production, along with the physical pressure exerted by the tumour, cause the symptoms associated with mPitNETs.
Your endocrinologist and neurosurgeon treat pituitary tumours like brain tumours. Most pituitary tumours are benign, and most of them are treatable. The authentic research says that one in every four people may have a benign pituitary tumour (adenoma), which is noncancerous and causes no symptoms. Pituitary cancer or pituitary carcinoma is rare.
Recent data shows that it was more frequent in older people. However, experts diagnosed 85% of cases after death. Pituitary tumours are uncommon, and they are typically noncancerous or benign. The majority of types are active, which means they generate hormones. Experts treat nonfunctioning tumours as they are not releasing any hormones.
Frequent types of benign pituitary tumours include:
- Adrenocorticotropic hormone-secreting (ACTH) tumours
- Growth hormone-secreting tumours
- Prolactin-secreting tumours
- Thyroid-stimulating hormone-secreting tumours
Frequent symptoms can include,
- High BP
- High blood sugar
- Thinner arms and legs
- Growth of excess body hair
- Abnormal development of your feet and hands
- Abnormal sweating
- Irregular heart rate
- Abnormal weight loss
- Abnormal bowel movements
What are the common symptoms of a pituitary tumour?
Experts observe various symptoms of pituitary tumours depending on their size and the hormones they release.
Experts observe symptoms common to any pituitary tumour mentioned below,
- Persistent Headache
- Vision loss
- Common Seizures
Other symptoms specific to definite kinds of pituitary tumours can include:
- Weight gain
- Bruising easily
- Irritability, anxiety, and depression
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Flushing of the face
- Weak muscles and bones
- High BP
- Irregular heartbeat
- Large hands and feet
- producing breast milk even if not pregnant
- Lack of milk when breast-feeding
- Menstrual cycle changes
- Lowered sex drive
- Impotence
- Loss of body hair
- Abnormal sexual development and growth in children
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How do experts diagnose pituitary cancer?
Magnetic resonance imaging and computer tomography scans can detect tumours in the pituitary gland. Experts can determine blood and urine test hormone levels. Many pathologists cannot differentiate between a cancerous and noncancerous pituitary tumour under a microscope. When cancer spreads to another part of the body, we perceive only a cancerous tumour. Pituitary cancer spreads in the same proportion to areas inside and outside the brain.
Common sites of spread (metastasis) include:
Some parts of the brain and blood vessels
- spinal cord
- Meninges, which cover the brain
- Spinal cord
- Within reach bone
- Eyes
- Lymph nodes
- Vital organs such as the lungs, heart, liver, pancreas, kidneys, and ovaries
With most cancers, tumours work in stages at the time of diagnosis. The crucial step is determined by how large the cancer is and to what extent it has spread. Doctors use staging to plan a treatment plan and to help determine the outlook. We know that pituitary cancer is rare, and there are no best guidelines for treatment. Experts cannot cure pituitary tumours. Several people struggle with acute problems because the adjunct treatment causes other issues like eyesight loss or hormonal changes.
What are the complexities of pituitary cancer?
Pituitary cancer, if neglected, can decrease your quality of life or may be fatal. Make sure you understand and follow the analysis of your doctor. You can consider various healthcare providers like neurosurgeons, oncologists, endocrinologists, nutritionists, and physical therapists. If you endure surgery to remove a pituitary tumour, there is a risk of infection or a reaction to anaesthesia.
Other exposures to pituitary surgery include
- Problems with your vision due to eye nerve damage during surgery
- Oozing blood into the brain or nose if blood vessels are damaged
- Blow to other parts of the pituitary gland, which can cause additional symptoms.
- Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) discharges from the brain out of the nose.
- Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes near the spinal cord and brain
- Diabetes insipidus
- Harm to common parts of the pituitary gland.
A team of doctors tries to correct the complications.
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FAQs:
What are the treatment options for pituitary cancer?
Treatment options for pituitary cancer may include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. The specific treatment plan will depend on the size and location of the tumour and the patient's overall health and medical history.
What is the prognosis for pituitary cancer?
The prognosis for pituitary cancer depends on several factors, including the stage, the age and overall health of the patient, and how well the cancer responds to treatment. The prognosis for pituitary cancer is better than for many other types of cancer, with a five-year survival rate of approximately 80%.
Can pituitary cancer be prevented?
There is no known way to prevent pituitary cancer. However, early detection and treatment can improve the chances of a successful outcome. Regular check-ups with a healthcare provider can help detect potential issues early on.
Can exercise help prevent or treat pituitary cancer?
Exercise has numerous health benefits, including reducing the risk of developing certain types of cancer. However, exercise can prevent or cure pituitary cancer. We can say that staying physically active can help improve overall health and well-being, which may refine the body's ability to fight cancer.
Can stress management techniques help with pituitary cancer?
Managing stress is the best for overall health and well-being, but stress management techniques can prevent or cure pituitary cancer. However, reducing stress can help improve quality of life and may support the body's ability to cope with cancer and its treatments.
What are the recent medical updates about "pituitary cancer"?
Here's a breakdown of recent updates on pituitary cancer, also known as metastatic pituitary neuroendocrine tumours:
- Classification refinements: Doctors are getting better at classifying pituitary tumours. The 2022 World Health Organization update differentiates between various types based on cell origin and hormone production. This process helps tailor treatment approaches.
- Genetic testing advancements: Understanding the genetic mutations behind pituitary tumours is improving. This update allows for better genetic testing, especially for those with a family history of MEN1 syndrome (a risk factor).
- Improved imaging: Advancements in MRI scans lead to more accurate detection and size determination of tumours. Studies are even exploring using MRI during surgery to ensure complete removal.
- Treatment options: Research on medical therapies is ongoing. Medications like pasireotide (Signifor) show promise in controlling Cushing's disease, a hormonal disorder caused by pituitary tumours.
Pituitary tumour research is making significant strides. This action means doctors can now diagnose and classify these tumours more accurately, paving the way for potentially more effective treatments.