Osmosis video - Pituitary adenomas and pituitary hyperfunction: Clinical

Pituitary adenomas are benign tumors that develop in the anterior pituitary gland that's located at the base of the brain. These tumors can cause the pituitary gland to produce too much of one or more hormones, leading to pituitary hyperfunction.

Symptoms depend on the specific hormones involved, though other symptoms might be due to the mass effect of these tumors. Treatment for pituitary adenomas may include medications to shrink the tumor and control hormone levels; surgery to remove the tumor; or radiation therapy to shrink it.