Pituitary tumors can be difficult to diagnose. The neuroradiologists and neuropathologists at Miami Cancer Institute at Baptist Health South Florida use innovative diagnostic methods to locate pituitary tumors and determine the exact type so your care team can give you the most appropriate treatment for your specific condition.
Our specialists are highly skilled in their fields. Combined with the benefits of advanced medicine, they work together with many other health professionals to deliver comprehensive, personalized care.
Pituitary tumors are a type of primary brain tumor. They begin in the epithelial cells that line the pituitary gland – the main endocrine gland that is attached to the hypothalamus and controls growth and metabolism and stimulates hormone production by other glands.
Though most pituitary tumors are benign (noncancerous), they have the potential to recur after treatment or, in rare cases, become malignant (cancerous).
Pituitary tumors can be benign or malignant. Benign pituitary tumors are called pituitary adenomas. Malignant pituitary tumors are called pituitary carcinomas – or pituitary cancers.
Almost all pituitary tumors are pituitary adenomas. Only rarely do they become cancerous.
Pituitary adenomas are classified by size and whether they are functioning (secrete hormones) or non-functioning (do not secrete hormones). Most pituitary adenomas are functioning.
The types of functioning pituitary adenomas are:
Your risk for a pituitary tumor is increased if you have been diagnosed with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 or type 4, McCune Albright syndrome, or Carney complex.
