Pituitary Tumors

By Nick Leth and Rose Richter

Did you know??

• Robert Wadlow was the tallest recorded man on earth at a height of 8 ft 11 in.

• His astounding height was the result of a pituitary tumor

Genes

• Pituitary Tumor-Transforming Gene (PTTG)• Plays an important role in the cell cycle by helping

sister chromatids to separate during anaphase • A very large amount of PTTG causes aneuploidy

Anatomy

• Located immediately under the hypothalamus

• Rests on the Pituitary fossa (sella turcica)

• Comprised of two lobes; anterior (adenohypohpysis) and posterior (neurohypophysis)

• The lobes are separated by an intermediate lobe

Function

• This organ is part of the endocrine system• Once thought of as the “master gland” the

pituitary gland is actually controlled by the hypothalamus

• Sends many hormones to glands throughout the body

Symptoms

• Headaches• Vision Problems• Visual Disturbances• Nausea• Vomiting

Diagnosis

Doctors diagnose pituitary tumors in a number of ways.1. Blood Tests

• Blood tests are performed to test the blood for numerous substances and properties.

2. Brain CAT scan• CAT scans combines x-ray equipment with computers to

take multiple pictures of the inside of the body. These pictures can be used to help doctors diagnose the patients.

3. Brain MRI• The MRI is a procedure that uses a powerful magnet

and radio waves to produce detailed images of the body's organs, without using X-rays or other radiation.

4. Vision Tests

Stages

There is no standard “staging system” for pituitary tumors. Once the tumor is found, tests are performed to see if the tumor has spread throughout the body. The size of pituitary tumors can range anywhere from the size of a pea to the size of a lime.

Epidemiology and Prevalence

• 10%- 15% of all brain tumors are pituitary tumors; 20% in African Americans

• 25% have undiagnosed tumors• Women are generally diagnosed at ages 30-

40 and men at ages 40-50• Much more common in women

Complications

• Cushing’s Disease- excess amounts of the hormone cortisol

• Acromegaly-excess of growth hormone• Gigantism and Dwarfism• Delayed menarche- Late start of menstruation • Hypothyroidism- The thyroid secretes less

than normal amounts of thyroid hormone• Diabetes insipidus- Different from diabetes

mellitus

Prevention

There are no known ways to prevent pituitary cancer, but there are ways to lower your chances of getting any kind of cancer, and to kill it early if you do get cancer. Such methods include:

1. Know your family’s health history, and take note of any signs that could be a sign of cancer.

2. Eat well, and stay active.3. Avoid extensive exposure to harmful substances such as

chemicals and even the sun.

Treatment

The method of treatment depends on the type and size of the tumor

• Observation and medication • Surgery

– Transphenoidal endoscopic tumor removal– Transcranial tumor removal

• Radiation Treatment– Stereotactic radiosurgery – External-beam radiation

• Hormone Therapy

Awareness

Organizations devoted to cancer awareness:• The American Cancer Society• The Pituitary Network AssociationFund raisers devoted to cancer awareness:• Path to Progress • Ellie Savage Memorial TrustCelebrity Spokespeople:• Katie Couric• Lance Armstrong• Stefanie Speilman

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<http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/acromegaly-10808>. • Balaban, Naomi E., and James E. Bobick, eds. The Handy Anatomy Answer Book. Canton: Visible Ink, 2008. Print. • Campbell, Neil A., Jane B. Reece, and Lawrence G. Mitchell, eds. Biology. 5th ed. Menlo Park: Addison Wesley Longman, 1999. Print. • "Cell Proliferation and Its Regulation." Chapter 11 Cell Proliferation and Its

     Regulation. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Feb. 2010. <http://219.221.200.61/      ywwy/zbsw(E)/edetail11.htm#0>.

• "Cushing's Syndrome." WebMD. N.p., 2008. Web. 11 Feb. 2010.      <http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/cushings-syndrome-topic overview>.

• Gladfelter, Amy, et al. "The Anaphase-Promoting Complex/Cyclosome Is Required for Anaphase Progression in Multinucleated Ashbya gossypii Cells." Eukaryotic Cell. American Society for Microbiology, Feb. 2007. Web. 10 Feb. 2010. <http://ec.asm.org/cgi/content/full/6/2/182>.

• Huang, Xingxu, et al. "Securin and Separase Phosphorylation Act Redundantly to Maintain Sister Chromatid Cohesion in Mammalian Cells." Molecular Biology

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• Frontiers - Celebrities for the Cause. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Feb. 2010. <http://www.jamesline.com/ viewer/ Pages/ index.aspx?P=454>.

Sources Continued• Human Endocrine System. Biology The Web of Life. Ed. Scott Foresman and Addison Wesley. N.p.: Addison Wesley Longman, 1998. 797. Print. • "Hypothyroidism." WebMD. N.p., 25 Aug. 2008. Web. 11 Feb. 2010.

     <http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/hypothyroidism-topic-overview>. • Interesting Facts. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Feb. 2010. <http://www.interestingfacts.org/fact/tallest-man-facts>. • Jane, John A., and Edward R. Laws. "Chapter 13 - Surgical Treatment of Pituitary Adenomas." EndoText. N.p., 1 Dec. 2009. Web. 11 Feb. 2010.

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     Aneuploidy in Live Human Cells." Endocrinology. The Endocrine Society, 15 July 2003. Web. 10 Feb. 2010. <http://endo.endojournals. org/cgi/content/full/144/11/4991>. • Pediatric Oncology Resource Center. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Feb. 2010.

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