Is “The Master Gland” Connected To The Brain?

The pituitary hangs from the hypothalamus, a part of the brain located immediately above it, by a thread-like stalk that contains both blood vessels and nerves. Hormones produced in the hypothalamus carry signals or messages to the pituitary gland. The hypothalamus...

How Effective Is Radiation Therapy?

Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill cancer cells and abnormal pituitary cells and shrink tumors. Radiation for pituitary tumors these days almost always comes from a radiation source outside the body (external radiation therapy). Radiation therapy may be...

Are Pituitary Disorders/Diseases Hereditary?

Rarely pituitary adenomas can occur in families. If no other abnormality is associated then this condition is called Familial Isolated Pituitary Adenoma. Most often family members have acromegaly or prolactinoma, sometimes other types of adenomas. Further information...

Are Pituitary Tumors Deadly?

If diagnosed early enough, the prognosis is typically excellent. If not, some tumors can grow into macroadenomas that press on the optic nerves (causing loss of peripheral vision and, in some cases, blindness), the brain (impacting function) and the pituitary...