How much does a pituitary tumor grow in a year?

Written by Gao Yi Shen
Neurosurgery
Updated on January 24, 2025
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At present, in clinical practice, there is no evidence to show how much a pituitary tumor can grow in a year, because the specific pathological nature of pituitary tumors varies, the overall health status of an individual differs, as well as whether a corresponding disease mechanism has developed, and whether regular treatment has been administered. These factors definitely influence the pituitary tumor. For some benign or non-functioning pituitary tumors, the growth is very slow after certain treatments, and they will not recur or grow after surgical intervention. However, sometimes, malignant pituitary tumors can grow very quickly within a year, significantly affecting the surrounding nerve tissues due to compression. Therefore, it is crucial to have regular follow-ups or seek early treatment if a pituitary tumor is present, as this is the best approach to treatment.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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Are pituitary tumors prone to recurrence?

Pituitary tumors in the brain are benign tumors that grow slowly. When the tumor size is relatively small, there are generally no clear symptoms or signs, and most patients can work, live, and study like normal people. It is recommended to treat pituitary tumors with surgical methods. Most pituitary tumors are benign. If they can be completely removed through microscopic surgery, or through the transnasal transsphenoidal approach, minimally invasive surgery can achieve ideal treatment results and generally will not recur. However, for individual patients with pituitary tumors, if the tumor is malignant, it may easily adhere to surrounding tissues in the early stages, making it difficult to completely remove surgically, thus it is prone to recurrence.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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Is a pituitary tumor scary?

For pituitary tumors, if not treated promptly and effectively, the continuous enlargement of the tumor often causes patients to experience recurring symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. Additionally, a series of endocrine hormone imbalances accompanying the tumor often manifest various symptoms and signs. When the pituitary tumor grows to a certain size, it can also potentially cause pituitary apoplexy. Therefore, it is advisable for patients with pituitary tumors to seek timely medical attention at local hospitals and undergo early surgical treatment. By opting for endonasal transsphenoidal surgery to completely remove the pituitary tumor, most patients can achieve very good treatment outcomes, with a gradual alleviation of existing symptoms.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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Pituitary tumor examination items

For patients with pituitary tumors, it is first recommended to perform a cranial CT or MRI examination, and if necessary, a cranial MRI with contrast and a pituitary MRI with contrast can be done to help determine the specific location, size, and relationship of the pituitary tumor with surrounding important blood vessels and nerves. Additionally, blood tests are needed to examine the levels of endocrine hormones in the body, including cortisol, growth hormone, prolactin, thyroid hormones, and other related hormone levels. Furthermore, further examinations of the patient's cardiopulmonary function, such as electrocardiograms, echocardiograms, and chest CT scans, are also required.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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How many days of hospitalization for pituitary tumor surgery?

For patients with pituitary tumors, it normally takes about one to two weeks to undergo surgery and be hospitalized. After surgery, it is appropriate for patients to rest in bed and refrain from getting up too early, mainly to monitor for any occurrence of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea. Premature activity might lead to cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea or even trigger intracranial infections. Additionally, after surgery, it is important to perform blood tests to check the levels of endocrine hormones in the body, primarily to assess whether important electrolyte and hormone levels are normal. If there are abnormalities, adjustments should be made promptly, and discharge can be considered once the patient's condition is stable.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Gao Yi Shen
Neurosurgery
59sec home-news-image

How much does a pituitary tumor grow in a year?

At present, in clinical practice, there is no evidence to show how much a pituitary tumor can grow in a year, because the specific pathological nature of pituitary tumors varies, the overall health status of an individual differs, as well as whether a corresponding disease mechanism has developed, and whether regular treatment has been administered. These factors definitely influence the pituitary tumor. For some benign or non-functioning pituitary tumors, the growth is very slow after certain treatments, and they will not recur or grow after surgical intervention. However, sometimes, malignant pituitary tumors can grow very quickly within a year, significantly affecting the surrounding nerve tissues due to compression. Therefore, it is crucial to have regular follow-ups or seek early treatment if a pituitary tumor is present, as this is the best approach to treatment.